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REV. HENRY MELCHIOR MUHLENBERG, D.D. 



1517-1917 



Jubilee Volume 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 

OF THE 

^ Ministerium of Pennsylvania 
and Adjacent States, - 



Reformation Quadri-Centennial 



Published by the 

Conference 



A& 

*M^ 



Copyright 1917 

BY 

J. J. Kline 



/ 



AUG 30 1917 



Sowers Printing Company 
lebanon, pa. 



5CI.A473271 



INTRODUCTION 



■W 



THE Eighth Jubilee, or Four Hundredth Anni- 
versary (Quadri-Centennial) of the Reforma- 
tion is an exalted endeavor appropriately to 
observe by speech and song, sacrifice and service, the 
wonderful work of God in behalf of His Son's King- 
dom in the world, through the activities of His chosen 
men of the sixteenth century. The result of which 
was an open Bible, a full Gospel, religious Liberty, the 
pure Faith and faithful Pastors, to which the whole 
world has become heir and the Protestant world the 
champion. And inasmuch as the Lutheran Church 
is the first-born of that religious regeneration, to her 
also belongs the responsibility as well as the blessing 
of the birthright. The realization of the obligation of 
this heritage and the appreciation of the value of the 
preserved data of the Church's earliest history, in- 
spired the Norristown Conference of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania to trace the 
fruits of those evangelical gifts in the lives and labors 
of her people upon her assigned territory in the land 
of liberty and freedom. 

The men selected as collaborators in the work of 
gathering, compiling and editing, in a concise form, 
the result of such an historical research, were: Rev. 
J. J. Kline, Ph.D., Rev. f. L.;.Becker, D.D., Rev. D. 
H. Reiter, Rev. N. F. Schmidt, Rev. George A. 
Kercher, Rev. J. H. Waidelich and Rev. Warren 
Nickel. 

The committee desires to record its appreciation of 
3 



H JUBILEE VOLUME 

the hearty co-operation of all the clerical members of 
the Conference. To them mainly belongs the credit 
of whatever virtue or value the historical sketches of 
their respective congregations may possess, and are 
responsible for the statement of the facts. 

The aim of this work is to recite important facts 
concerning persons and places ; establish dates of 
epochs and events ; recount the activities of the more 
prominent men who were filled with wisdom and 
zeal ; and record the names of those perchance less 
prominent, though possibly equally faithful. Being 
persuaded that the true greatness of events, places and 
men, whether in influence, position or duration, is only 
the reflection of the Faith once delivered to the saints, 
therefore worthy to be chronicled. "The world pass- 
eth away and the lust thereof ; but he that doeth the 
will of God abideth forever." 

The reader will notice that some literary forms were 
strained in order to preserve some of the old well- 
known names. You will also recognize the same 
names and the same transactions in a number of the 
sketches, which exhibits the spirit of unity in the 
Church of yesterday, which is worthy of fuller emu- 
lation in the Church of today. You may also perceive 
the meagre account of details, which frequently 
denotes inadequacy of records due to dereliction in 
duty to posterity ; but more generally due to compres- 
sion and brevity which was the avowed design of the 
committee. 

The committee commends this unpretentious work 
to that part of the pious public who love to note the 
halting and faltering footsteps ; the falling and rising of 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 5 

a part of God's people in their struggle through the 
shadows in the forests of this virgin, American soil. 

It is commended to that part of our Church who 
can be inspired unto greater fidelity in the present and 
higher aim for the future and greater loyalty to the 
Church by the faults, weaknesses and indifference of 
the men of the past as well as by their liberality, 
steadfastness and devotion. 

It is commended to all such who are desirous to 
record and deliver to the future such influences and 
forces that are living today- for the good of tomorrow. 

It is commended to the rising generations, unto 
whom, we pray, the priceless legacies of the fathers 
of the Old World and the New alike will be even more 
precious than to us. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Page 

Introduction 3 

Table of Contents 7 

List of Portraits 9 

General History ■ 11 

Original Clerical List 20 

Present Clerical List 21 

Officers of Conference 22 

Conventions 23 

Parish Register 24 

Location of Congregations 25 

Synodical Meetings 26 

Almont 27 

Applebachsville 31 

Center Square 33 

doylestown 39 

Dublin 43 

East Pikeland 44 

Falckner Swamp 52 

Hatfield 74 

Hilltown 76 

Huber's 80 

Indianfield 84 

Keelor's 88 

Keller's 92 

Lansdale 96 

Limerick 100 

Lower Tinicum 108 

Xorristown, Grace Ill 

Norristown, Trinity 117 

North Wales 121 

Old Goshenhoppen 127 

Pennsburg 131 

Perkasie 136 

Phoenixville 139 

7 



8 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Page 

Pottstown, Emmanuel 142 

Pottstown, Grace 153 

Pottstown, St. James 158 

Pottstown, Transfiguration 163 

QUAKERTOWN, St. JOHN'S 170 

quakertown, trinity 174 

Red Hill 179 

RlCHLANDTOWN 185 

Ridge Valley 192 

Royersford 198 

Sassamansville 200 

schwenksville 205 

Sellersville 214 

So. Perkasie 219 

souderton 222 

Spinnerstown 227 

Spring City 230 

Stowe, John the Baptist 234 

Stowe, St. Peter's 235 

Sumneytown 240 

Telford 244 

Tohickon 246 

Towamencin 250 

Trappe 255 

Trumbauersville 275 

West Pikeland 281 

Zion Hill 287 

Women's Missionary Society 290 

Luther League 300 

Index 309 



LIST OF PORTRAITS 

Opposite Page 

Beck, Chas. G 38 

Becker, J. L 10 

Benze, C. Theo 38 

Berkemeyer, Fr 38 

Bickel, L. J 38 

Dapp, Chas. F 38 

Drach, Geo 38 

Fegely, W. 152 

Fegley, Geo. S 204 

Fetter, C. R 152 

Fichthorn, A. S 204 

Fitting, H. W 152 

Fluck, Wm. A 152 

Foust, Geo. D 110 

Fox, Wm. B .... 110 

Gardner, Geo. C 204 

Haworth, F. F 152 

Held, C. E 152 

Ischinger, R. H 178 

Jefferis, C. W , 178 

Keim, C. E 178 

Keiter, A. Chas. R 178 

Kemmerer, Wm. B 26 

Kepner, D. K 110 

Kern, R. E 178 

Kistler, Wm. U 178 

Kline, J.J 10 

Kramlich, J. Fred 274 

Kretschmann, E. T 204 

Kurtz, I. B 274 

Lazarus, Geo. M 110 

Macintosh, Aden B 274 

Miller, Henry S 26 

Miller, N. E 274 

9 



10 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Opposite Page 

Muhlenberg, H. M Frontispiece 

Neff, Jacob 110 

Neiman, Jacob 204 

Nickel, Warren 10 

Paules, H. S 274 

Reiter, D. H . 10 

Ritter, N. Y . . . 274 

Roeller, J. Geo 26 

Savacool, J. S 286 

Schmidt, N. F 10 

Schmucker, B. M 110 

Seneker, H. F. J 286 

Smith, O. P 204 

Snyder, C. C 286 

Trafford, E. H 286 

Waage, Fr 26 

Waage, O. F 286 

Waidelich, J. H 10 

Walz, F 26 

Weddel, A. J 26 

Yerger, N. B 286 





Rev. J. L. Becker, D.D. 



Rev. D. H. Reiter 





Rev. J. H. Waidelich 



Rev. N. F. Schmidt 



GENERAL HISTORY 

OF THE 

NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 

THE territory occupied by the Norristown Con- 
ference of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania 
and Adjacent States is historic Lutheran ground. 
While the Conference is of comparatively recent ori- 
gin, yet we find here not only some of the oldest con- 
gregations of our faith in the country, but the very 
beginning of the efforts made to effect an organization 
of the scattered Lutherans of our land. Two of our 
congregations, Augustus Church, Trappe, and New 
Hanover, united with the Lutheran congregation of 
Philadelphia in the call extended to the Rev. Henry 
Melchior Muhlenberg, D.D., in an effort to secure 
closer relationship with the church of the Fatherland 
and obtain a line of trustworthy pastors, who should 
preach the pure Lutheran doctrines. 

The church had suffered much from irresponsible, 
itinerant preachers. Muhlenberg was destined to re- 
store order and his genius for organization was to lay 
the foundations for future growth and influence. His 
motto, "Ecclesia Plantanda," shows his missionary 
zeal and explains his activity in organizing congrega- 
tions, but perhaps his greatest work was the unifying 
of the church in doctrine and practice, and the organ- 
ization of the scattered and struggling congregations 
with an ecclesiastical body for mutual protection and 
co-operation, and thus pave the way for the future. 

11 



12 JUBILEE VOLUME 

To Muhlenberg, whose life was largely spent at the 
Trappe, we owe our present church organization and 
government. The earliest effort along this line on our 
territory was undoubtedly made long before William 
Penn received his charter for Pennsylvania from the 
British Crown. 

The Swedish settlers on the Delaware and the 
Schuylkill established Lutheran churches in this vi- 
cinity early in the seventeenth century under the pro- 
tection and care of the Swedish Lutheran Church. 
One of these congregations still remains an active or- 
ganization within our Conference territory. It is the 
Evangelical Lutheran Christ Church of Upper Merion, 
at Swedeland, near Norristown, Pa. Its name and 
charter are still Lutheran, but linguistic and politi- 
cal exigencies have long since placed it into the con- 
trol of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

The real history of the Lutheran Church in Amer- 
ica begins with the great tide of German immigration 
sweeping into our State shortly after William Penn 
became proprietor of the colony of Pennsylvania. Al- 
most as soon as the German colonists arrived, in some 
instances before the year 1700, we find them organ- 
izing congregations in the eastern portion of the State. 

The congregational organization often was very im- 
perfect or perhaps lacking entirely in the modern 
sense, the membership small and scattered far and 
wide, their itinerant preachers often without ordina- 
tion and authority to preach. Many of the early 
preachers were mere adventurers, but there were also 
many men of true worth, education and character 
among the pioneer pastors, who' helped to lay the 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 13 

foundations for the stronger church life and order that 
was to follow. 

According to early records, the congregation at 
Falckner Swamp (New Hanover) — an organized con- 
gregation — existed there as early as the year 1700. 
At Augustus Church, Trappe, we have authentic rec- 
ords of pastoral acts performed in the congregation 
as early as April 8, 1730. Appeals for pastoral care 
were made to the Swedish pastors and authorities in 
Europe at an early date. In the year 1733 commis- 
sioners were sent from these congregations in Mont- 
gomery County to Europe for financial aid. 

Before the year 1734 Dr. Ziegenhagen, Lutheran 
Court Preacher in London, had received letters from 
these churches, and in turn called the attention of the 
authorities to the need of more pastors for America. 
Such calls for pastors went out early and we find 
much correspondence between the congregations here 
and the authorities in Europe. 

Many years elapsed, however, before definite steps 
were taken to relieve the situation and until a man 
was found to accept a call to America. 

On September 6, 1741, we find Henry Melchior 
Muhlenberg, on a visit to Halle, a guest of Dr. 
Francke. During the course of the conversation he was 
asked whether he would accept a call to the churches 
in America. He expressed his willingness to go, if 
such were the will of God. A formal call from the 
congregations at New Hanover, Trappe and Philadel- 
phia reached him on May 24, 1742. 

Meanwhile many smaller congregations had been or- 
ganized and were waiting for the means of grace. 



14 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Among these congregations now in the Norristown 
Conference we find the following organized at early 
dates: Little Zion, Franconia, 1730; Old Goshenhop- 
pen, 1732; St. Paul's, Red Hill, 1739; Zion, East Pike- 
land, 1743; Peace (Tohickon), Bedminister, 1743; 
and Keller's, 1751. 

Muhlenberg arrived in Philadelphia in the fall of 
the year 1742. When he began his work, which was 
immediately after his arrival, he found great confu- 
sion in the churches and no little difficulty in establish- 
ing his authority, but he soon became master of the 
situation and firmly established in his pastorate. 

His energy was not long confined to his own imme- 
diate parish. Appeals for pastoral service soon came 
from other congregations destitute of the means of 
grace. This impelled him to send to Halle for help. 
Soon there was a response and during succeeding 
years many pastors, school teachers and catechists 
came to America to serve our scattered people. 

The need of organizing pastorates for mutual co- 
operation was beginning to be felt more and more. In 
1748 a meeting was called in Philadelphia, and this re- 
sulted in the organization of the United Congregations 
into a Conference or Synod. The Swedish pastors 
and those who came from Halle participated. The 
immediate object was the urgent necessity of ordain- 
ing a candidate for the ministry. 

The person who was ordained at this first meeting 
of Synod was John Nicholas Kurtz, a catechist at 
New Hanover, who was the first one to be ordained 
by a Lutheran Synod in America. Out of this begin- 
ning originated the present Ministerium of Pennsyl- 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 15 

vania. The influence of the new organization steadily 
increased, new pastors were admitted and soon there 
were a number of organized congregations in the rap- 
idly growing communities, applying for pastoral ser- 
vice from the "United Congregations." 

The division of the main body into district Confer- 
ences shows the rapid development and extent of the 
territory covered in those days. The first record of a 
division of Synod into Conferences is in 1783. They 
are Yorktown (York), Lancaster, Macunshy (Ma- 
cungie), Philadelphia and New York. 

In 1801 the following Conferences were consti- 
tuted : Philadelphia, Easton, Lancaster, York, Balti- 
more, Western and Virginia. Owing to distance and 
lack of communication, some of the outlying Confer- 
ences soon assumed Synodical dignity. In 1870 the 
Ministerium within its present boundaries was divided 
into five Conferences, designated by numerals. The 
present Norristown Conference, in connection with 
the two Philadelphia Conferences, then constituted the 
First District Conference. 

Another division of the Ministerium was made in 
1893 and ten Conferences were formed and designated 
by names instead of numerals. Nine of these are in this 
country, viz : The Allentown, Danville, Lancaster, 
Norristown, Philadelphia English, Philadelphia Ger- 
man, Pottsville, Reading and Wilkes-Barre, while the 
Rajahmundry Conference comprises the pastors and 
congregations in our foreign mission field in India. 
The Norristown Conference comprised the counties 
of Bucks, Montgomery and Chester. Later, in 1913, 
for the sake of convenience in various ways the south- 



16 JUBILEE VOLUME 

ern boundary of the Conference was determined by 
Synod, through a special committee, as follows : The 
New York Branch of the Reading Railroad from the 
Delaware to the intersection of the Reading Railroad 
with the Trenton Cut-off of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road, thence along the line of this railway to the east- 
ern boundary of Chester County, the remaining por- 
tion of the boundary to continue as originally desig- 
nated. 

The organizing of the Norristown Conference 
was placed by Synod in the hands of a committee con- 
sisting of Revs. D. K. Kepner, Hiram Peters and J. 
H. Waidelich. The instructions to the committee were 
to name the date and place for the first meeting. Trin- 
ity Church, Lansdale, was selected and on January 
2, 1894, at 10 a. m., fifteen clerical and six lay dele- 
gates answered roll-call and effected the permanent 
organization. The Rev. H. Peters preached the open- 
ing sermon on the text John 14:9. The members of 
the committee administered the Communion. The 
election resulted in the choice of Rev. J. L. Becker, 
President ; Rev. J. H. Waidelich, Secretary, and Rev. 
D. H. Reiter, Treasurer. 

At this initial meeting the Conference gave evidence 
of interest and activity by recommending the forma- 
tion of Women's Missionary Societies, Luther 
Leagues, or young people's organizations, and even ar- 
ranged for a Sunday-school Convention, which was 
held in Spring City on October 16, of the same year. 

The Bucks, Montgomery and Chester Central Lu- 
ther League was organized in response to the recom- 
mendation of Conference. It is now the largest Dis- 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 17 

trict League in the State organization, numbering over 
2,800 members. 

In May of the following year the Women's Mis- 
sionary Society of the Norristown Conference was 
launched in the Church of the Transfiguration, Potts- 
town, with twenty local societies represented. 

These agencies have been very active in spreading 
information and intelligence along various lines of 
church work. 

The Norristown Conference Scholarship Fund for 
Muhlenberg College has been started and nearly $500 
has already been gathered. When complete this fund 
will amount to $1,500, and its proceeds shall be ap- 
plied to aid worthy young men of the Conference in 
the preparation for the Gospel ministry. 

The Sunday-schools are active and use the Graded 
Lessons of the General Council, and one-half of the 
schools enjoy the convenience of separate primary 
rooms to carry on this very important work; 1,173 
teachers and officers have charge of 12,203 scholars in 
the 49 schools of the Conference. 

The per capita contribution of 46y 2 cents toward 
benevolence in 1894 amounted to $5,870, and the min- 
utes of 1916 show a per capita offering of $1.29 for 
the same object, or a total of $24,649, an increase of 
300 per cent, during these years. 

To the 24 original parishes 11 new ones have been 
added since the time of the organization of the Con- 
ference. Six new congregations have been added to 
the original list of 44. The confirmed membership of 
Conference has been increased during this time by 5,- 
222, so that the total membership now is 19,097. 



18 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Eight additional pastors have been added to the 
clerical roll. Twenty-five sons of the Conference have 
entered the Gospel ministry, and five are in course of 
preparation at College and Seminary. An approxi- 
mate half million dollar outlay was made in the build- 
ing of 16 new churches, ten parsonages, two parish 
houses, together with improvements to churches and 
church properties. Ten Union churches and Sunday- 
schools have been divided ; an activity noteworthy 
of mention in connection with this history. All this 
evidences progress and expansion in the kingdom of 
Truth as confessed by the Church of the Reforma- 
tion. 

The Tabor Home, an institution for dependent chil- 
dren, and caring at this time for nearly fifty such 
wards, is located near Doylestown, on the territory of 
the Conference. The latest charity within our bounds 
is the Artman Home, established by the late 
Enos Artman, a son of one of the congregations of 
Conference. The Home has secured over 500 acres 
of land near Sellersville and has begun practical Inner 
Mission work. The ultimate aim is to establish a 
Home for Aged Lutherans with an endowment ade- 
quate to maintain itself and become a center of Inner 
Mission activities. These institutions are under the 
control of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, affording 
ample opportunity to our charitably inclined people to 
exercise benevolence. 

The church at the Trappe, built the year following 
Muhlenberg's arrival in America, is still standing and 
proves a beautiful monument sacred to his memory. 
This venerable edifice has become a veritable "Mecca" 



N0RR1ST0WX CONFERENCE 19 

to Lutherans, especially so on the first Sunday of 
August, when services are held in this ancient temple 
of the Lord, the walls of which mark the dividing line 
between the Patriarch's pulpit and his grave, as well 
as that of his famous son, Peter. An adequate en- 
dowment to maintain the edifice has been secured. 

The value and inspiration that comes from large, 
general gatherings of the members of the Church has 
long been recognized and encouraged by the Confer- 
ence. So that at this time there are four such rallying 
points within its borders, namely : the "Old Trappe 
Church," in the Perkiomen Valley ; "Old Zion's," Ches- 
ter County, and "Sanatoga Park," near Pottstown, in 
the Schuylkill Valley, and "Menlo Park," Perkasie, in 
the North Penn Valley. At the latter place, on the 
first Saturday in August for the past 15 years, the 
orphans and aged of the Home at Germantown have 
been sumptuously entertained by the congregations 
of that district. 

Gratitude to God is a debt we owe for His saving 
grace. But above all should we earnestly implore 
Him for His guidance and inspiration, so that this 
Conference may leave to her sons and daughters as 
rich a legacy as their fathers and mothers had re- 
ceived. May this brief history inspire our children 
to continue the spreading of God's Truth, so that His 
kingdom shall increase and bring joy and peace to 
present and future generations. 



Original Clerical Roll of Conference 

Rev. F. Walz Sellersville 

" J. R. Groff Doylestown 

" F. Berkemeyer Sellersville 

" J. F. Ohl Quakertown 

" D. H. Reiter Richland Center 

" J. H. Waidelich Sellersville 

" R. B. Lynch Dublin 

" C. R. Fetter Telford 

" J. C. N. Park Centre Square 

" J. L. Becker Lansdale 

" A. J. Weddel, D.D Norristown 

" H. Peters Norristown 

" R. D. Roeder Norristown 

" E. R. C. Warnake Norristown 

" C. W. Jefferis North Wales 

" N. E. Miller Phoenixville 

" Jacob Neff Spring City 

" J. B. Haigler Spring City 

" J. H. Neiman Royersford 

" D. K. Kepner Pottstown 

" O. P. Smith Pottstown 

" I. B. Kurtz Pottstown 

" J. J. Kline New Hanover 

" N. F. Schmidt Schwenksville 

" E. T. Kretschman, Ph.D. .Trappe 

" W. B. Fox Sumneytown 

" O. F. Waage Pennsburg 



20 



Present Clerical Roll of Conference 

Rev. Chas. G. Beck North Wales 

" J. L. Becker, D.D Lansdale 

" Prof. C. Theo. Benze, D.D. Alt. Airy, Phila. 

" F. Berkemeyer Sellersville 

" L. J. Bickel Pottstown 

" Chas. F. Dapp, Ph.D Spring City 

George Drach Trappe 

" W. O. Fegely Trappe 

" C. R. Fetter Telford 

" H. W. Fitting Quakertown 

W. A. Fluck Tinicum 

" F. F. Haworth Center Square 

" Cyrus E. Held Sumneytown 

" R. H. Ischinger Niantic 

C. W. Jefferis Doylestown 

" C. E. Keim Spring City 

' A. Chas. R. Keiter Norristown 

" Ruf us E. Kern Quakertown 

" W. U. Kistler Pennsburg 

" J. J. Kline, Ph.D Pottstown 

" J. Fred. Kramlich Royersford 

" I. B. Kurtz, D.D Pottstown 

; A. B. Macintosh Norristown 

" N. E. Miller Phoenixville 

Warren Nickel Souderton 

" H. S. Paules Perkasie 

" D. H. Reiter Quakertown 

Norman Y. Ritter Perkasie 

: J. S. Savacool Pottstown 

N. F. Schmidt Schwenksville 

H. F. J. Seneker Pottstown 

" C. C. Snyder Pricks 

E. H. Trafford Kimberton 

O. F. Waage Pennsburg 

" J. H. Waidelich Sellersville 

N. B. Yerger Quakertown 



21 



Officers of Conference 

PRESIDENTS 

Rev. J. L. Becker, D.D 1894 

" O. P. Smith, D.D '94-'95 

" R. D. Roeder '95-'96 

" D. H. Reiter '96-'98 

" J. H. Waidelich '98-'00 

" N. F. Schmidt '00-'02 

" J. J. Kline, Ph.D '02-'04 

" P. A. Laury '04-'O6 

" I. B. Kurtz, D.D '06-'08 

" N. E. Miller '08-'10 

" C. C. Snyder '10-'12 

" W. O. Fegely '12-'14 

" Warren Nickel '14-'16 

" J. F. Kramlich '16 

SECRETARIES 

Rev. J. H. Waidelich '94-'96 

" C. W. Jefferis '96-'98 

" R. B. Lynch '98- '00 

" L. J. Bickel '00-'02 

" Warren Nickel '02-'04 

" N. E. Miller '04-'06 

" A. C. Schenk '06-'08 

" J. F. Kramlich '08-'10 

" F. M. Urich '10-'12 

" N. Y. Ritter '12-'14 

" Melvin Kurtz '14-'15 

" W. U. Kistler '15-'16 

" C. G. Beck '16 

TREASURERS 

Rev. D. H. Reiter 1894-1896 

" O. F. Waage . ; 1896-1906 

" D. H. Reiter 1906 



22 



Conference Meetings 



/Lansdale (Special) 

1894 < Quakertown (Trinity) 

(Royersford 

1895 JNorristown (Grace) 
/ Perkasie 

1896 i North Wales 

/ Falckner Swamp 

1897 \ Doylestown 

I Phoenixville 

1898 \ Trumbauersville 
/ So. Perkasie 

logo JNorristown (Trinity) 
/Red Hill 

/'Emmanuel's 

1900 < (Franconia Twp.) 

I Spring City 

1901 ^P°ttstown (Emmanuel) 
| Quakertown (Trinity) 

1902 \ Schwenksville 
/Norristown (Grace) 

ion:? JRoyersford 
/Keller's 

1904 J Tr appe 
/Pottstown (St. James') 

1905 \ Souderton 
/Norristown (Trinity) 



1906 fc th Wales 

/Hilltown 

^gQj JEast Pikeland 
/Sellersville 

(Quakertown 
1908^ (St. John's) 
(Phoenixville 

1909 | Jelford 
( 1 micum 

1910 \ Dublin 
/Red Hill 

1911 i Quakertown (Trinity) 
/ Doylestown 

iQ12 j Sassamansville 
/ Ridge Valley 

(Norristown (Grace) 

1913<^ S P eci ^ 
\ Kulpsville 

VSo. Perkasie 

1914 \ Richlandtown 

/ Falckner Swamp 

1QK jPennsburg 
/Telford 

f Pottstown 
1916 < (Emmanuel) 

(Old Goshenhoppen 



23 





PASTOR 


Con- 

flrd 
|Mm. 


Sun. Sch'l 


CONGREGATIONS 


Offi's 
and 
Tea. 


Sch'l- 



CENTER SQUARE: St. Johns.. 

DOYLESTOWN: St. Paul's 

FALCKNER SWAMP: 

Grace, Pottstown 

New Hanover. 

HILLTOWN: 

St. Peter's, Hilltown 

St. Andrew's, S. Perkasie 

Grace, Hatfield 

KELLER'S: 

St. Matthew's, Bedminster Twp. . 

St. Paul's, Applebachsville 

Zion, Zion Hill 

LANSDALE: 

Christ, Towamencin 

Trinity, Lansdale 

LOWER TINICUM: 

Christ, Lower Tinicum Twp 

St. Luke's, Dublin 

NORRISTOWN: 

Grace 

Trinity 

NORTH WALES: St. Peter's 

OLD GOSHENHOPPEN: 

Peace, Bed. Twp. Bucks Co 

Old Goshenhoppen, U. Sal. Mont. 

Little Zion.Franconia Twp., Mont 

St. Paul's, Telford 

PENNSBURG: 

St. Mark's, Pennsburg 

St. John s, Spinnerstown 

PERKASIE: Trinity 

PHOENIXVILLE: St. John's 

POTTSTOWN: 

Emmanuel's 

St. James' 

St. Peter's, Stowe 

John the Baptist 

Transfiguration 

OUAKERTOWN: 

St. John's 

Trinity 

RED HILL: St. Paul's 

RICHLANDTOWN: 

St. John's, Richlandtown 

Christ, Trumbauersville 

RIDGE: 

Jerusalem, Almont 

St. John's, W. Rockhill Twp 

ROYERSFORD: Grace 

SASSAMANSVILLE-NIANTIC : 

Christ, Niantic 

St. Paul's, Sassamansville 

SCHWENKSVILLE : 

Jerusalem, Schwenksville 

St. James', Limerick 

SELLERSVILLE: 

St. Michael's, Sellersville 

SOUDERTON: Emmanuel 

SPRING CITY: 

Spring City, Lutheran 

Zion's, E. Pikeland Twp 

SUMNEYTOWN: 

St. John's, Sumneytown 

St. Luke's, Frederick Twp. Mont 

TRAPPE: Augustus 

WEST PIKELAND, St. Peter's. . 



F. F. Haworth . . 
Chas. W. Jefferis. 



J. J. Kline, Ph.D. | 



Howard S. Paules . 



R. E. Kern. 



J. L. Becker, D.D. . 
Wm. Albert Fluck. . 



A. C. R. Keiter 

Aden B. Macintosh 
Charles G. Beck . . . 



C. R. Fetter. 



William U. Kistler . 



Norman Y. Ritter. 
N. E. Miller 



.Co 



B. Kurtz, D.D 
Jacob Savacool. . 



Vacant 

H. F. J. Seneker 



H. W. Fitting. 
N. B. Yerger.. 
O. F. Waage. . 



D. Henry Reiter. 



Vacant 

J. Fred Kramlich 
R. H. Ischinger. . 



N. F. Schmidt 



J. H. Waidelich. 
Warren Nickel . . 



C. E. Keim 

C. F. Dapp, Ph.D 

Cyrus E. Held. . . . 



W. O. Fegely. . 
E. H. Trafford 



24 



296 

448 



302 
242 



505 

93 

185 

358 
367 

344 
303 

518 
739 
415 

340 
270 
200 
150 

498 
496 
796| 
485 

1441 
260 

247 

17 

524 

690i 

II 387 
II 973 

403 
313 

244 
390 
383 

334 
350 

390 
230 

577 
474 

290 
214 

425 
293 
312 
105| 



10| 53 

20 180 



452 
171 

163 

191 
82 

135 

40 
96 

117 
300 

150 

200 

524 
766 
185 

200 

125 

75 

170 

405 
256 

708 
300 



65|1053 
22| 237 
29 267 



296 

362 

390 
475 

175 
150 

93 

138 
285 

152 
103 

175 

125 

456 

445 

289 
220 

149 

128 

131 

50 



ORGANIZATION AND LOCATION 

Organized Location 

Falckner Swamp 1700 New Hanover, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Indianfield 1730 Franconia Twp., Mont. Co., Pa. 

Old Goshenhoppen 1732 Upper Salford Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. 

Trappe 1733 Trappe, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Red Hill 1739 Red Hill, Montg. Co., Pa. 

East Pikeland 1743 East Pikeland Twp., Chester Co., Pa. 

Tohickon 1743 Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., Pa. 

Kellers 1751 Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., Pa. 

Spinnerstown 1763 Spinnerstown, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Pottstown — Emmanuel . .1765 Pottstown, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Trumbauersville 1768 Trumbauersville, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Center Square 1769 Center Square, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Lower Tinicum 1769 Tinicum, Bucks Co., Pa. 

North Wales 1776 North Wales, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Hilltown 1804 Hilltown Twp., Bucks Co., Pa. 

Richlandtown 1808 Richlandtown, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Limerick 1817 . .Limerick, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Almont 1826 Almont, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Towamencin 1833 Towamencin Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. 

Keelors 1835 Frederick Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. 

Schwenksville 1835 Schwenksville, Montg. Co. Pa. 

Niantic 1836 Niantic, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Sassamansville 1837 Sassamansville, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Zion Hill 1840 Springfield Twp., Bucks Co., Pa. 

West Pikeland 1841 West Pikeland, Chester Co., Pa. 

Norristown — Trinity 1849 Norristown, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Ridge Valley 1854 West Rockhill Twp., Bucks Co., Pa. 

Applebachsville 1855 Haycock Twp., Bucks Co., Pa. 

Pennsburg 1855 Pennsburg, Montg. Co. Pa. 

Sumneytown 1858 Sumneytown, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Souderton 1859 Souderton, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Potts'n — Transfiguration. 1859 Pottstown, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Doylestown 1861 Doylestown, Bucks Co., Pa. 

So. Perkasie 1867 So. Perkasie, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Quakertown — St. John's. 1867 Quakertown, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Dublin 1869 Dublin, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Sellersville 1870 Sellersville, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Spring City 1872 Spring City, Chester Co., Pa. 

Phoenixville 1873 Phoenixville, Chester Co., Pa. 

Lansdale 1882 Lansdale, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Norristown — Grace 1885 Norristown, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Royersford 1890 Royersford, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Quakertown — Trinity. . . .1891 Quakertown, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Perkasie 1892 Perkasie, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Pottstown— Grace 1896 Pottstown, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Pottstown— St. James'. . .1896 Pottstown, Montg., Co. Pa. 

Stowe 1893 Stowe, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Hatfield 1904 Hatfield, Montg. Co., Pa. 

Telford 1906 Telford, Montg. Co., Pa. 

John the Baptist 1910 Stowe, Montg. Co., Pa. 

25 



26 jubilee volume 

Synodical Meetings 

Providence, Trappe June 17-18 1750 

New Hanover June 16-17 1754 

New Providence October 19-20 1760 

New Hanover November 6 1768 

New Hanover May 25, ff 1777 

New Hanover October 4, ff 1778 

New Providence October 4 1780 

New Hanover June 19-22 1791 

Pottstown June 2, ff 1833 

Pottstown June 2, ff 1844 

Pottstown May 22-26 1864 

Pottstown June 8-12 1873 

Norristown May 23-28 1875 

Pottstown June 9-15 1881 

Norristown May 17-23 1883 

Norristown June 13-18 1889 

Pottstown May 21-26 1891 

General Council Meeting 

Norristown October 8-13 1903 





Rev. A. J. Wedded D.D. 



Rev. Wm. B. KaemmerEr 



JERUSALEM, (ridge road) ALMONT 

THE first corner-stone bears the date 1826, and 
this is the only reliable historical date extant, 
and what is written till 1859 is chiefly traditional. 
The source of this tradition is such as to make it near- 
ly history. Some of it is traced to Mrs. Watts, who 
lived to be 103 years old, and through her we received 
some of this matter. No records are in evidence, and 
hence the sad feature which faces one at this junc- 
ture. Either through neglect, indifference or ignor- 
ance we fail to have records reliable for history. 

It appears, as is plausible, that a school-house was 
located at this place where the present church build- 
ing stands, and this was used for services at times. 
These were conducted by neighboring pastors of vari- 
ous denominations. On the Lutheran side was the 
Rev. J. G. Roeller, of Indianfield, Goshenhoppen and 
Tohickon congregations. It seems that a private 
burial ground was here also, and both the school 
building and burial place were used by the congrega- 
tion. 

Tradition has it that Indians are buried on this 
spot. Here our forefathers cared for the secular and 
religious instruction of the youth and this was carried 
on by the Lutheran, Reformed and Mennonites, who 
in 1826 purchased land upon which to erect a church 
building. These three denominations conducted ser- 
vices at regular periods until a release from the 
Mennonite Bishop was secured by the Rev. Berke- 
meyer in 1885.. Few of this faith were living in the 

27 



28 JUBILEE VOLUME 

community, and hence in the building of the present 
church the joint property rights were confined to the 
Lutheran and Reformed congregations. 

The Rev. Frederick Waage is said to have preached 
under the expanding oak-tree still standing. Rev. 
William Kemmerer, pastor of Richlandtown parish, 
served this congregation as the regular pastor until 
September, 1859, when the Rev. F. Berkemeyer be- 
came the pastor, the health of Pastor Kemmerer 
failing him. 

From this time we have records faithfully kept. He 
served these people for a quarter of a century, when 
he retired to confine his labors to fewer congregations, 
so as to do more efficient work. During his pas- 
torate he was most active in every branch of church 
interests. He instilled the missionary spirit among 
the people and was using his talents in securing 
separate church buildings for separate congregations. 
This was the beginning of relegating the Union 
church to the historical past. In his pastorate the 
present church building was erected to displace the 
old stone building, which had a gallery on three sides. 
Excluding the old materials and labor the structure 
cost no less than $4,000. 

After his resignation, Easter Monday, April 6, 
1885, the congregation had no parish connection and 
was supplied temporarily by the Rev. Adolph F. 
Walz for one year, when he accepted a call to Troy, 
N. Y. It continued a supply congregation till 1887, 
when the Rev. P. P. Wisser took charge of it in con- 
nection with a mission congregation in Allentown. 
With the attention that he could and did give these 




JERUSALEM, ALMONT 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 29 

people the congregation prospered. His health soon 
began to fail him. He preached his last sermon on 
August 2, 1891, when he left at the advice of his 
physician to spend some days at Forrest, the home of 
his parents, in Lehigh County. On the 29th of the 
same month he "fell asleep in Jesus." Pastor Waide- 
lich, who had supplied during the illness of Pastor 
Wisser, continued as supply. 

During his pastorate of eight years the congrega- 
tion was chartered and made the recipient of a residu- 
ary legacy amounting to nearly $6,000. 

While supplying these people the pastor organized 
a new congregation at Perkasie, known as Trinity 
Church. After the new congregation had prospered 
and become able to unite with Jerusalem congregation 
and form a separate parish and support a pastor, it 
was so recommended by. Rev. Waidelich and endorsed 
by the Norristown Conference, in the fall of 1898. 

This new Perkasie Parish called the Rev. P. A. 
Laury in the fall of 1899, and on November 12th he 
was installed in Trinity Church, Perkasie, by Pastors 
Bieber and Waidelich. 

To satisfy Trinity Church, Perkasie, which de- 
manded more services to comply with the growing 
needs of a town church, Jerusalem congregation re- 
solved, in June, 1907, that after October the congre- 
gation be a supply congregation, with Pastor Laury 
as the supply pastor. 

During his pastorate the church building was re- 
modeled and beautified inside and outside, the clerical 
robe introduced and the congregation increased and 



30 JUBILEE VOLUME 

strengthened. He served this congregation from No- 
vember 12, 1899, to October, 1914, when he accepted 
a call to the presidency of Waterloo Seminary, Can- 
ada. This supply church was now placed in charge 
of the Conference president, Rev. Warren Nickel, of 
Souderton. 

At the recommendation of Conference, based on an 
action of St. Michael's, Sellersville, to become self- 
sustaining, leaving St. John's, of Ridge Valley, va- 
cant, this latter united with Jerusalem in the forma- 
tion of a separate parish called the "Ridge" Parish. 
This action was consummated in September, 1916. 
This newly formed parish is vacant and expects to 
elect a pastor in the near future. This bids fair to 
become a very excellent field, with a splendid people 
and good prospects for an inner development that will 
make a desirable rural parish. 

Here is a history of well-nigh one hundred years 
of activity. The origin of the congregation can be 
traced to the necessity for religious services in the 
community, the congregations to which the members 
belonged being far off and most inconvenient. They 
then did missionary work, and may the Lord of the 
Harvest move the hearts of these people to continue 
in the spirit of their forefathers. 



ST. PAUL'S, APPLEBACHSVILLE 



ST. PAUL'S Church is located in the town of 
Applebachsville, Haycock Township, Bucks 
County, Pa. It is situated along the old Bethlehem 
road, one of the main roads from Bethlehem to Phila- 
delphia. The church was built in the year 1855, and 
the cornerstone laid on Whitsunday, May 27 of the 
same year. The church has been a Union church 
from its very beginning, according to the "Proclama- 
tion issued at the laying of the cornerstone." In it 
the church is called the "German Evangelical Luth- 
eran and Reformed and Mennonist Church." The 
Mennonite branch has, however, long since relinquish- 
ed all rights and there is no record that they ever held 
regular services in the church. The men who served 
on the building committee were the following: Paul 
Applebach, Joseph Mann, William Applebach, John 
Sames and Jared Apple. 

The aforenamed "Proclamation," which is the only 
record extant of the founding of the church, con- 
tains some items of interest, a few of which we wish 
to note. The first is the ardent defence that is made 
for the faith upon which the church is founded, as 
stated in the following : "If in after years generations 
should rise who will forget our Saviour, despise the 
Word of the Lord, or the Holy Sacraments, and not 
suffer this holy doctrine to be preached, we hereby 
call Heaven to witness, that we are innocent of all 
such desecration and have no sympathy with them." 
The other item is the Article which designates what 
ministers are permitted in its pulpit, and which gives 

31 



32 JUBILEE VOLUME 

an indication of the conditions that were prevalent at 
the time when the church was founded. It reads as 
follows: "The Board of Deacons, or a majority 
thereof, shall have the privilege to permit visiting 
ministers to preach or hold funeral sermons in the 
English or German language, if applied for by a 
member of the congregation, provided he be a Chris- 
tian minister of the gospel and of a good and virtuous 
character, except Methodist preachers, to whom no 
permission under any circumstances shall be granted." 

The name of the Lutheran congregation worship- 
ping in this church was originally "The Evangelical 
Lutheran Congregation of Applebachsville," but later 
it was changed to "St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran 
Congregation." The congregation was organized 
before or shortly after the building of the church in 
1855. It was originally a part of the "Springfield 
Parish," which parish was then a part of the Minis- 
terium of Pennsylvania. Since 1863 the congrega- 
tion has, however, been a part of ''Keller's Parish." 
No records of any historical value were kept of the 
congregation until 1874, when Rev. J. F. Ohl became 
pastor. He kept a complete record of all pastoral 
acts. In the year 1900, while Rev. Warren Nickel 
served as pastor, the church was renovated at a cost 
of $1,800, and was re-dedicated in September of the 
same year. Within the last year, 1916, a new roof 
was placed on the church at a cost of $500, and plans 
have been made to thoroughly renovate the interior 
of the church. 

Rev. C. P. Miller organized the congregation in 
1855 and served as its first pastor. There is no rec- 




ST. PAUL'S, APPLEBACHSVIIXE 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 33 

ord as to when he relinquishd the work. Rev. Leon- 
ard Groh is the next pastor of whom there is any rec- 
ord. He served from 1863 to 1864. His successors, 
and when they served, are as follows : Rev. R. B. 
Kistler, from 1865 to 1870; Rev. George M. Lazarus, 
from 1870 to 1874 ; Rev. J. F. Ohl, from 1874 to 1893 ; 
Rev. G. C. Gardner, from 1893 to 1895; Rev. War- 
ren Nickel, a son of the congregation, from 1896 to 
1908; Rev. Norman Y. Ritter, from 1909 to Janu- 
ary 1, 1915. The present pastor, Rev. Rufus E. Kern, 
began his pastorate on March 1, 1916. 



ST. JOHN'S, CENTER SQUARE 



IN the year 1768 St. Michael's, in Germantown, 
was without a pastor. An appeal was sent to 
Halle, Germany, for a preacher to fill the vacancy. 
After a careful consideration of the candidates for the 
office, the choice rested upon one, Johann Friederick 
Schmidt. On July 23, 1768, he left Halle. After 
spending a few months in London, England, he sailed 
for America. He landed at Philadelphia, April 2, 
1769. Seven days later he preached his first sermon 
in America at the Academy on Fourth street. The 
following Sunday morning he preached at St. Mich- 
ael's Church. 

Notwithstanding a liberal university education, 
Pastor Schmidt was imbued, to an unusual degree, 
with the spiritual graces of the holy office of the min- 
istry. During the first year of his ministry in Amer- 
ica he organized "The Evangelical Lutheran Congre- 



34 JUBILEE VOLUME 

gation of St. John's Church, in Whitpain Township, 
in the Province of Pennsylvania." St. Johns' came un- 
der the control of St. Michael's, in Germantown. Pas- 
tor Schmidt preached "alternately on the Sabbath 
noon at Whitepain, 11^ miles distant" from Phila- 
delphia, i. e., from St. Michael's, in Philadelphia. 

During the first three years of its life St. John's 
congregation held services in private houses. Its first 
home was built in 1771 and stood till replaced by the 
present structure in 1834. The church is situated on 
the Skippack turnpike, about one mile above the vil- 
lage of Centre Square, Pa. It stands upon an elevated 
spot overlooking the surrounding country for miles in 
every direction. The deed for the property, contain- 
ing one acre, was given on the 26th of June, 1773. 
The church records, dating from 1773, show the 
names of forty-eight members at that time. The sac- 
rament of baptism was first administered November 
21, 1773. The first confirmation class recorded was 
April 17, 1775, when twenty-one persons were re- 
ceived into the full communion of the Church. Feb- 
ruary 19, 1788, is the first record of a marriage. The 
first funeral recorded was July 15, 1794. 

The years in which Pastor Schmidt began his min- 
istry were eventful ones in the history of the Col- 
onies. They were on the verge of the Revolution. 
Party spirit ran high. Pastor Schmidt espoused the 
cause of the Colonies. He wrote in a newspaper for 
the people "against their oppressors, the British." So 
zealous was he in defense of the rights of the people 
that, on the approach of the enemy, the British, to 
Philadelphia, he was obliged to leave Germantown. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 35 

With 'his family he retired to New Goshenhoppen. 
During his enforced retirement there he devoted 
most of his time and energy to St. John's, Center 
Square. "After the battle of Germantown, when 
Washington was obliged to retreat and was pursued 
by the British to within three miles of 'Church Hill/ 
where St. John's stood, Pastor Schmidt gave further 
proof of his loyalty to the Colonies by throwing open 
the doors of his church to receive the sick and wound- 
ed, and by ministering Christian consolation to the 
dying." Many of the soldiers of the Revolution, who 
died from wounds or sickness after the battle of Ger- 
mantown, lie buried in the cemetery back of the 
church, with no stone to mark their final resting 
place. 

Pastor Schmidt was called to the assistance of his 
friend, the Rev. J. C. H. Helmuth, D.D. The Rev. 
Anthony Hecht filled the vacancy left by Pastor 
Schmidt. He was a very learned and cultured man. 
A log hut, near the center of the present bor- 
ough of North Wales, was his home during his pas- 
torate, which began in 1786 and ended 1792. Pastor 
Hecht was succeeded by the Rev. Jacob Van Buskirlc 
He was prepared for the ministry by Muhlenberg and 
held the pastorate of St. John's from 1793 to 1796. 

During a short vacancy Rev. SchaerTer sup- 
plied St. John's. The Rev. Henry Geisenhainer 
came about 1797. He was licensed to preach in that 
year at the request of North Wales and Upper Dub- 
lin Churches. During his pastorate at St. John's the 
old organ was built. It was dedicated on the 8th of 
September, 1799. The instrument, costing $525.88^, 



36 JUBILEE VOLUME 

was paid for by contributions. The Rev. Charles 
Wildbahn, D.D., filled the pulpit after Pastor Geissen- 
hainer, but died a few months after he was installed. 

A vacancy existed for about six years, when the 
pulpit was supplied by Solomon and David Schaeffer, 
students of theology and assistants to their father, 
then pastor of St. Michael's, in Germantown. In 1806 
the Rev. J. C. Rebanach took charge and remained 
until 1810, when he was followed by the Rev. John 
Wiand. Upper Dublin separated from St. John's 
(Whitpain) and St. Peter's (North Wales), at the be- 
ginning of Pastor Wiand's pastorate. He resigned in 
1826 and the Rev. George Heilig was elected to the 
pastorate. The old church structure was replaced by 
the present building. The cornerstone was laid May 
19, 1834, at which time the collection totaled $66.02. 
One foundation stone bears in crude chiseling the 
date 1776, which shows that some of the old material 
was used in the new building. The building is of 
stone, coated with plaster, and surmounted with a bel- 
fry. "St. John's of today, with its battlemented front 
and back, its latticed windows upstairs and down, its 
side and singing galleries, its high-backed, narrow 
pews, and its century-old pulpit furniture well de- 
serves the name historic." 

The building was consecrated January 1, 1835, at 
which service the collection amounted to $526.11^. 
In 1843 Pastor Heilig accepted a call elsewhere. 

The next pastor was the Rev. Jacob Medtart. The 
English language now supplanted the German simply 
because Pastor Medtart was unable to preach in Ger- 
man. He resigned in 1855. The Rev. John Hassler 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 37 

assumed charge October 1, 1855. From 1862 to 1868 
the Rev. P. M. Rightmyer served the parish. In June, 
1868, the Rev. E. L. Reed preached his first sermon. 
He had served but one year when St. Peter's, at North 
Wales, offered to support a pastor independently of 
St. John's, Center Square. They agreed to separate 
and Pastor Reed went to North Wales. 

The Rev. Henry M. Bickel, D.D., supplied St. 
John's from July 11, 1869, until March 1, 1870, when 
he became the regular pastor. The "Old Parsonage" 
was bought at this time. At the Holy Communion 
service July 25, 1869, the * ! Rev. Bickel wore, for the 
first time in this church the clerical (black silk) robe 
and bands." He resigned and went to Philadelphia 
in 1875. The Rev. D. Levin Coleman was installed 
December 12, 1875, and remained until February, 
1881. October 24, 1881, the Rev. Harry B. Strodach 
was elected pastor. He preached his farewell sermon 
July 1, 1883. The Rev. D. Levin Coleman accepted 
a second call to St. John's and stayed from 1884 until 
April 8, 1888. 

On June 18, 1889, the Rev. J. C. N. Park began his 
pastorate. During his term of office a new organ was 
dedicated. He left February 18, 1894. A call was ex- 
tended to the Rev. C. C. Snyder March 15, 1894, 
and he accepted. The "Silver Jubilee," commem- 
orating the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniver- 
sary of the founding of St. John's congregation, 
was held September 5, 1894. It was marked by 
special appropriate services. At the morning ser- 
vice a history of the church was read, which 
history forms the material basis and nucleus of 



38 JUBILEE VOLUME 

this account. It was prepared by Miss Clara Beck. 
Under Pastor Snyder's faithful care the membership 
steadily increased and the sphere of the influence of 
the church enlarged. Pastor Snyder's last service at 
St. John's was conducted November 22, 1903. 

The Rev. Jer. H. Ritter assumed the office of pas- 
tor at St. John's June 1, 1904. The following sum- 
mer he re-introduced the clerical robe after thirty 
years of disuse. He severed his pastoral relations 
June 30, 1911. The next pastor was the Rev. Theo- 
dore Hoffmeister. He filled the office from 'Novem- 
ber 12, 1911, till October 31, 1915. After a vacancy 
of eight months the Rev. Frederick F. Haworth as- 
sumed charge July 1, 1916. 

Although the records of many years are missing, 
the remaining ones show that: 1,160 children have 
been baptized ; 975 persons have taken the vow of 
confirmation; 466 couples have been united in holy 
wedlock; the pastors have officiated at 536 funerals, 
and the Lord's Supper has been celebrated 280 times. 
One of the most treasured relics, used through more 
than a century of its history, is a pewter communion 
service, the chalice of which is dented from much 
handling. The wafer plates are thin and bear on the 
reverse side this inscription in faint characters: 
"Queen Church, London." 





Rev. C. F. Dapp, Ph.D. 




Rev. F. BerkemeyEr 



Rev. George Dracw 



ST. PAUL'S, DOYLESTOWN 



THE beginning of Lutheranism in Doylestown, 
Pa., dates back to the year 1859, when the Rev. 
F. Berkemeyer came to Bucks County, as the pastor 
of the Hilltown congregation. With the zeal of a true 
missionary pastor, he soon began to look up the scat- 
tered Lutherans in other communities, and Doyles- 
town was one of the first places which claimed his 
attention. His efforts met with immediate success, 
and soon the little band of Lutherans, mostly Ger- 
mans, which he had organized into a congregation, be- 
gan considering plans for the erection of a house of 
worship. The exact date of the founding of the con- 
gregation, however, is unknown, although it is com- 
monly believed to have taken place in the year 1861. 
The purpose at first was to erect a union church; but 
the Lutherans finding that the Reformed people had 
contributed such a paltry sum towards the enterprise, 
resolved to build an exclusively Lutheran church. 

This purpose, however, was not reached without 
many trials and troubles for the young organization. 
Lack of funds sorely hindered the progress of the 
work on the building, which fell into the hands of the 
sheriff, who sold it for $2,600. Morgan Rufe, then an 
active and deeply interested member of the church, 
purchased the property, and held it until the congre- 
gation was again able to assume the risk. The com- 
pleted building was consecrated to the service of Al- 
mighty God March 4, 1877, during the pastorate of 
the Rev. J. H. Fritz, who had also introduced the full 

39 



40 JUBILEE VOLUME 

liturgical service as prepared and recommended by the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and brought about 
many other changes which worked for the advance- 
ment of the congregation. Rev. Fritz was succeeded 
by the Rev. A. R. Home, who though never regularly 
elected as pastor, served the congregation for a period 
of seven years, coming from Allentown every other 
week, and supplying the people with the Bread of 
Life. The Rev. D. L. Coleman was the next regular 
pastor, during whose pastorate a fine tower contain- 
ing a church bell was added to the front of the build- 
ing, the addition costing $1,400, and the language in 
which the services were conducted was so changed 
that now more services were held in the English lan- 
guage than in German. In 1891 the Rev. J. R. Groff 
was regularly called as pastor, and continued his la- 
bors for ten years. He was instrumental in bringing 
about a fine addition to the building, comprising the 
present commodious and churchly chancel, organ 
chamber and vestry, not only having planned and de- 
signed the work architecturally, but also having done 
with his own hands much of the actual work in its 
construction. A beautiful Tiffany triplicate stained 
glass window valued at $600 was placed in the rear 
of this addition above the altar, by the Ladies' Aid 
Society of the church. 

When Rev. Mr. Groff resigned in 1901, to accept 
a call to the Lykens Valley charge, the Rev. S. A. B. 
Stopp, who had just graduated from the Mount Airy 
Seminary, was called to the pastorate, and continued 
the work until February 18, 1906. During his time 
the progress of the congregation was marked, both 




ST. PAUL'S, DOYLESTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 41 

numerically and financially, and he as pastor intro- 
duced and wore the clerical robe in the pulpit for the 
first time. 

The present pastor, the Rev. Charles W. Jefferis, 
has had charge of the field since May 1, 1906, and 
working with him, the congregation has forged 
ahead along all lines. August 2, 1908, marked the 
re-consecration of the auditorium, after having been 
thoroughly renovated and decorated at an expense of 
$500. Nine new memorial stained glass windows 
have been placed in the church. The old weather- 
vane which had done duty on the tower for twenty- 
four years has been replaced by a handsome new cop- 
per cross, Celtic in design and measuring seven feet 
in height. New pews and choir stalls, a new maple 
floor and Brussels carpet are also among the interior 
improvements. The duplex envelope system is used 
in full for the raising of the finances of the congrega- 
tion. The Graded System of lessons furnished by the 
General Council is used in the Sunday-school. 

The golden jubilee of the founding of the church 
was appropriately celebrated by the congregation Sep- 
tember 3-6, 1911. The anniversary sermon was de- 
livered by the Rev. Jacob Fry, D.D., LL.D., of the 
Theological Seminary at Mount Airy, who preached 
on Zech. 4:2. The pastor, the Rev. C. W. Jefferis, 
read an extended historical sketch, covering the years 
from 1861 to 1911. The pastor loci was assisted at 
the other services of the celebration by various breth- 
ren from the Norristown Conference. 

As a fitting memorial of its fifty years' history, and 
in gratitude to God for the blessings of the past, the 



42 JUBILEE VOLUME 

congregation installed a beautifully toned pipe organ, 
at a cost of $2,000. The instrument, entirely free from 
debt, was consecrated on September 3rd with appro- 
priate ceremonies, by the pastor, in connection with 
the morning service. And the whole celebration of 
the fiftieth anniversary was an unqualified success and 
reflected credit upon the enterprise of pastor and 
people. 

The present enrollment of the congregation totals 
more than 300 members, over 200 of whom have been 
admitted during the present pastorate. 

The pastors who have served this congregation and 
the dates of their pastorates, as given in the records 
of the church, are as follows : 1860-1873, Revs. F. 
Berkemeyer, George Heilig, R. M. Jacoby, George 
Miller Lazarus, M. K. Burner, C. F. Welden; 1873- 
1874, Rev. R. S. Wagner; 1874-1878, Rev. J. H. Fritz; 
1879-1885, Rev. A. R. Home; 1885-1887, Rev. E. L. 
Miller; 1888-1890, Rev. D. L. Coleman; 1891-1901, 
Rev. J. R. GrofT; 1901-1906, Rev. S. A. Bridges 
Stopp ; 1906-, Rev. Charles W. Jefferis, the present 
pastor. 




ST. LUKE'S, DUBLIN 



ST. LUKE'S, DUBLIN 



ST. LUKE'S Evangelical Lutheran Church, situ- 
ated half way between Doylestown and Souder- 
ton, was officially organized in 1869, when their first 
building, built conjointly with the Reformed on the 
present site, was dedicated. The real beginning of the 
congregation took place a few years prior to the or- 
ganization, however, when neighboring pastors, 
among whom were Revs. F. Walz and F. Berke- 
meyer, held services for the Lutherans of the com- 
munity in a school-house a little below Dublin. The 
first pastor was the Rev. M. K. Buhler. who served 
this congregation in connection with Doylestown. He 
was succeeded by Rev. R. S. Wagner, who served 
until 1874, when Rev. J. H. Fritz became pastor and 
remained until 1877. After the removal of Rev. Fritz 
in 1877 the congregation was without a regular pas- 
ror until 1884, and during most of this time Rev. Dr. 

A. R. Home was the regular supply. 

In 1884 this congregation and Christ's, Tinicum, 
were constituted a parish and the Rev. J. W. Mayne 
became pastor. He was followed in 1888 by Rev. R. 

B. Lynch. It was during this pastorate that the pres- 
ent house of worship was built conjointly with the 
Reformed. Rev. Lynch served until 1903, and was 
succeeded by Rev. C. C. Snyder, who labored here 
until 1912. On January 1, 1913, the present pastor, 
Rev. W. A. Fluck, took up his labors in this field. 

A Women's Missionary Society was organized in 
1894 and is still one of the active organizations of the 
church. 

43 



44 JUBILEE VOLUME 

The Sunday-school had always been union until 
1905, when each congregation organized its own. 

In January, 1915, a Luther League was organized 
and has made marked success in its brief life. 

The present membership of the congregation is 320. 
All services are conducted in the English language. 



ZION'S, EAST PIKELAND 

THE history of Zion's Church is closely associated 
with the labors of the great Patriarch of the 
Lutheran Church in America, the Rev. H. M. Muh- 
lenberg. It was he who called the congregation to 
life; it was he who cared for it during its period of 
infancy ; it was he who secured for it zealous and cap- 
able pastors. Arriving in America in 1742, Muhlen- 
berg, with the wide vision that he possessed and with 
the wise foresight with which he was gifted, at once 
made provisions for caring for the scattered Lutheran 
people here in America, but principally in Pennsyl- 
vania. One of the first attempts to plant the church 
beyond the confines of the United Churches of Amer- 
ica, was made in Chester County. Here quite a num- 
ber of Germans had settled from Montgomery County 
and here they were in danger of being lost to the 
Lutheran Church owing to the prevalence of English 
Friends, Scotch Presbyterians, Welsh Baptists and 
members of the Established Church of England. To 
prevent a possible absorption of these Lutherans in 
Chester County, Muhlenberg shortly after his arrival 
established a preaching point on the "west side of the 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 45 

Schuylkill." Already in 1743 there was some kind of 
a loose congregational organization, although the Lu- 
therans in this vicinity continued to retain member- 
ship in the Trappe Church. In the Halle Reports, 
Muhlenberg frequently chronicles events of minister- 
ial importance with reference to the early history of 
Zion's Church. Up to 1757 all catechumens from 
Chester County were confirmed by Muhlenberg in the 
Trappe Church. The first entry of baptism in the 
records of Zion's Church was made in 1760. 

The first attempt to erect a house of worship by the 
Lutherans in Chester County was made in 1751. In 
this year Lutherans and Reformed united to build a 
church at a spot quite near the present church struc- 
ture. This first edifice was a log building. For ten 
years Lutherans and Reformed used this building in 
common, but in 1762 the Lutheran portion secured en- 
tire control of the church plant through purchase. At 
this time the Rev. John Helfrich Schaum, Muhlen- 
berg's assistant, was given complete charge of Zion's 
congregation in addition to several other churches. 
Rev. Schaum labored with signal success until 1762. 
In this year the Rev. Jacob VanBuskerk, the first na- 
tive American Lutheran preacher outside the Muhlen- 
berg family, was called as Schaum's successor, retain- 
ing the charge until 1765. 

The pastorate following VanBuskerk's was, per- 
haps, the longest and most successful in the history of 
Zion's Church. Rev. John Ludwig Voigt, a person 
of taste and refinement, a son of Halle, and an inti- 
mate friend of Muhlenberg, assumed the pastorate of 
Zion's Church in 1765. He labored with such eminent 



46 JUBILEE VOLUME 

success that the small log building could no longer ac- 
commodate the worshippers. Consequently the neces- 
sity of a new church building became apparent. 
However, the congregation became involved in a dis- 
pute as to the location of the proposed new structure ; 
one faction desiring to build the new building on the 
old site, the other favoring a location beyond the 
French Creek. The latter faction withdrew in 1770 
and erected a church building in what is now West 
Pikeland Township and called the new organization 
St. Peter's Church. Muhlenberg reported the occur- 
rence to Halle in these words : "The first Pikeland 
bee-hive has swarmed and has begun a new hive be- 
yond the French Creek." Rev. Voigt now also as- 
sumed charge of this new parish. 

The withdrawal of the St. Peter's members did not 
render a new church building in East Pikeland unnec- 
essary. In 1774 it was decided to erect a handsome 
stone building on or near the site of the old building. 
The cornerstone of this new church was laid August 
15, 1774. Muhlenberg preached the English sermon 
and laid the stone. It was dedicated on Whitsunday, 
June 4, 1775, when the church was for the first time 
officially designated "Zion's Church." Muhlenberg 
assisted at the dedicatory exercises. 

When Muhlenberg returned to the Trappe, a divi- 
sion of the charge took place, Rev. Voigt moving to 
Vincent Township, where Zion's Church had pur- 
chased a tract of 50 acres. Here a commodious par- 
sonage was built in 1776, Zion's Church thus being cue 
of the first churches in Chester County to own a resi- 
dence for its pastor. 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 47 

During the trying days of the Revolutionary War, 
Zion's Church became historically prominent. After 
the Battle of the Brandy wine, September 11, 1777, 
the pews were removed from the church building and 
the "beautiful new church," to quote Rev. Voigt, "was 
converted into a hospital." Later on, when the Amer- 
ican army was encamped at Valley Forge, during the 
Avinter of 1777-1778, the church was again used as a 
hospital. Here Washington visited the sick and 
wounded soldiers, and here in this consecrated sanc- 
tuary many a patriot was nursed back to health, or 
breathed his last within the atmosphere of the religion 
of the Cross. 

At the same time the church was used as a hospital 
the parsonage was similarly used. Rev. Voigt is said 
to have refused to pray in public for the American 
Congress. This exposed him to the charge of being a 
Tory, which charge was not in accord with facts. Rev. 
Voigt abhorred war because of his deep Pietistic ten- 
dencies. In this respect his attitude was similar to 
that of the English Friends, namely, non-participation 
in anything pertaining to conflict. This attitude on 
the part of Rev. Voigt was, of course, misunderstood 
by some American patriots. The friend and co- 
worker of Muhlenberg, whose heart and soul was in 
the American cause, and who gave such illustrious 
sons to the Revolutionary movement, could not have 
been a Tory. Such a thing is unthinkable. 

In 1788, Zion's Church laid out its first cemetery. 
It surrounded the old church. In 1789 the church 
was incorporated by the Assembly of Pennsylvania. 
In 1791 the congregation installed the first pipe organ. 



48 JUBILEE VOLUME 

At that time it was the only pipe organ in Chester 
County, and to this day the popular designation of 
Zion's Church is the "Old Organ Church." This pipe 
organ, now 125 years old, is still in good condition. 
When the present instrument was built, the old organ 
was not discarded. By a resolution of the Church 
Council, the old organ is to be used in connection with 
the service at least once a year, on the Sunday near- 
est October 9th. This day is to commemorate the day 
of its dedication, October 9, 1791. 

Rev. Voigt, after a long period of faithful service, 
fell asleep in Christ, December, 1800. He lies buried 
in the old portion of Zion's cemetery. A large marble 
slab with a suitable inscription marks his resting 
place. 

Succeeding Rev. Voigt were the following pastors : 
Rev. J. F. Weinland, 1800-1804; Rev. Plitt, 1804- 
1807; Rev. Jasinsky, 1807-1815; Rev. F. W. Geissen- 
hainer, Jr., D.D., 1817-1827. During his pastorate 
English services were introduced. Rev. Jacob Wam- 
pole, 1827-1836. Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff, 1836- 
1840. This pastorate was a stormy one. It occurred 
during the "New 'Measures" movement, which sought 
to introduce into the Lutheran Church innovations 
and practices entirely out of harmony with the spirit 
of Lutheran doctrine. Rev. Rutiirauff seems to have 
been carried away with the new ideas and consequent- 
ly brought discord into the church and as a result 
disrupted the parish. Zion's Church did not tolerate 
his innovations and when he insisted that certain 
changes be made in the church services, the congrega- 
tion voted to retain the old form of worship and ap- 




OLD ORGAN (Zion's, E. Pikeland) 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 49 

pealed to the Ministerium of Pennsylvania for the re- 
moval or discipline of Rev. Ruthrauff. Shortly after 
the breaking of the storm Rev. RuthraufI resigned the 
pastorate of the church. With St. Peter's and the 
newly organized churches of St. Matthew's and that 
at Lionville, Rev. RuthraufI joined the East Pennsyl- 
vania Synod. A small number of St. Peter's Church, 
who had no sympathy for Rev. Ruthrauff's ideas, or- 
ganized the new St. Peter's Church of West Pike- 
land, remained with the Ministerium and united with 
Zion's Church to form a parish. Rev. C. F. Welden, 
1842-1850. Rev. J. Clemens Miller, 1850-1854. Rev. 
William Weaver, 1855-1864. Shortly after Rev. Wea- 
ver became the pastor of Zion's Church, steps were 
taken to increase the influence and dignity of the con- 
gregation in this vicinity. A new church building pro- 
ject was started, but at first it met with opposition. 
Some members maintained that the old building was 
still ample for the needs of the congregation. To has- 
ten the new project, by a small majority, it was de- 
cided to tear down the old building of historic fame 
and interest, and thus assure the erection of a new 
edifice. This was done in 1860, and the new church 
was immediately begun. The cut brownstone of the 
old church structure was used in the foundation of 
the new. The old organ was preserved and given a 
prominent place in the gallery of the new building. 
The old communion table was also preserved. The 
old church, however, was destroyed — an act which il- 
lustrates the folly of undue haste to obtain that which 
is new, to the disadvantage of that which is old and 
venerable and sacred. Had the judgment of the 



50 JUBILEE VOLUME 

"Fathers" been exercised, the old church would still 
be standing today, and what is even more pertinent, 
we would today have some facts about the building of 
the new church. As the matter stands, we know 
nothing as to when the present structure was dedi- 
cated, how much it cost to build it, and neither do we 
have a single record of pastoral work performed dur- 
ing the years of 1855-1864. 

Rev. H. S. Miller succeeded Rev. Weaver. His pas- 
torate extended from 1864-1872. The Rev. Jacob Neff 
was called as pastor of Zion's Church, October 16, 
1872. His was the second longest pastorate in the 
history of the congregation. By action of Conference, 
soon after Rev. Neff took charge of Zion's Church, 
the old parish was changed. St. Peter's Church and 
St. John's Church in Phoenixville were designated as 
one charge ; while Zion's Church and the new mission 
in Spring City were to form another charge. This ar- 
rangement was satisfactory until the Spring City Mis- 
sion had grown to such an extent that Rev. Neff 
deemed it wise to resign the pastorate of Zion's 
Church and to devote his entire attention to the in- 
terests of the Spring City Church. Accordingly, he 
resigned April 1, 1892, having spent twenty years of 
faithful service as pastor of Zion's Church. 

On June 19, 1892, the Rev. J. B. Haigler became 
the pastor of Zion's Church. While he was pastor the 
use of the German language in the church services 
was discontinued, the Luther League was organized 
and the church renovated. The old organ, which had 
occupied a place in the gallery, was given the position 
it now occupies, namely, the northwest corner of the 




ZIOX'S, EAST PIKELAND 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 51 

main auditorium. Rev. Haigler resigned Sept. 27, 
1903. The Rev. Hiram F. Sieger became the pastor 
of Zion's Church, June 1, 1904. His pastorate con- 
tinued until January 1, 1906. He was succeeded by 
the Rev. W. K. Fisher, who assumed the duties of his 
office March 1, 1906. He resigned May 1, 
1910. Rev. Chas. F. Dapp, Ph.D., was unani- 
mously elected pastor of Zion's Church, July 
3, 1910, and took charge of the congregation 
September 1, 1910. During his pastorate the present 
parsonage was purchased ; the new organ installed and 
the church furnished with electric lights; the huge 
granite monument to mark the site of the old church 
erected; the Sunday-school room renovated and the 
cemetery increased by the purchase of six acres from 
the Benjamin Fryer farm. The congregation is active 
and conscious of its responsibility to the Master in re- 
ference to the needs of the church locally and at large. 
Increased offerings for synodical purposes, a better 
acquaintance with the institutions of the Ministerium, 
a deeper appreciation of the great principles of the 
Reformation here on the borders of Lutheranism — 
these are some of the things that this congregation, 
old in years and rich in history, strives for. May the 
spirit of the gentle Master, the doctrines of the great 
Reformer, the zeal of the illustrious Patriarch ever 
animate and inspire the hearts and minds of the peo- 
ple of Zion's Church, and make them meet to inherit 
their portion in the heavenly Zion. 



(FALCKNER SWAMP) NEW HANOVER 



AS a loving tribute to the memory of our noble 
ancestors, who have struggled and sacrificed to 
preserve the faith once delivered to the saints, a few 
salient facts concerning the life and history of this 
venerable congregation are here recorded. 

"It is a large, hill-sheltered and well- watered low- 
land, fertile as any English meadow, and constituting 
an extensive section of Montgomery County, that 
bears the name of Daniel Falckner as a perpetual me- 
morial to the Lutheran minister who, two centuries 
ago, opened this tract for settlement and civilization, 
and who at that time founded on this spot the oldest 
still existing German Lutheran Church in the land."* 

This gives the congregation its historic setting. 
Long before our national independence became a 
reality; also before the great immigration of 1709 
brought its rich contribution of Germans to these 
American shores ; yea, even before clover and timothy 
grew in this locality, God's people assembled here for 
divine worship and rejoiced in being led in their devo- 
tions by holy and God-fearing men. 

Organization. — The precise date of the organiza- 
tion of this congregation is lost in the dim vista of the 
past. History fails to record definitely this interest- 
ing fact, but we know that when Daniel Falckner re- 
turned to America, in 1699, he was accompanied by 
his younger brother Justus, who was a "candidatus 
theologici," and that he was ordained to the ministry 

*"The Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania" (1738-1800). Rev. Theodore E. 
Schmauk, D.D., LL.D. 

52 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 53 

on November 24, 1703, as the first Lutheran minister 
ordained on American soil ; not for the congregation 
in New Hanover, but for the Dutch Church in New 
York City. 

But what of the more than three years spent in this 
country as a theological student prior to his ordina- 
tion? Was he indifferent to the spiritual wants of the 
German people? Was he aimlessly and idly passing 
his time without heeding the prayers of his people in 
their spiritual destitution? We cannot answer these 
questions satisfactorily, but the weight of the argu- 
ment seems to be in favor of the fact, that in all prob- 
ability he did what he could for his own brethren in the 
faith, gathered them together and conducted religious 
services for them, not as pastor, but as a student of 
theology, from 1699 until 1703, when he left for New 
York. And within these years falls the probable date 
of the founding of this old historic congregation. 
Daniel Falckner, having been in America prior to this 
time, was a land agent as well as an ordained preacher, 
was interested in his fellow countrymen, and history 
breathes the thought that he did for them what he 
could, and induced his younger brother to accompany 
him on his second voyage to America and assist him, 
so that Daniel and not Justus Falckner was the 
founder of the Lutheran congregation in this locality. 
"He, the son and grandson of a Lutheran minister, 
was not at home among the Mennonite and Quaker 
elements at Germantown, and discovering this beauti- 
ful paradise in the Swamp as a part of the grant to 
the Frankfort Land Company, doubtless came with a 
few of those who, like himself, were most firmly at- 



54 JUBILEE VOLUME 

tached to the faith of their fathers, began the Luth- 
eran organization in the temporary hut of forest logs, 
which, like all the earlier structures, rotted down and 
became untenable in a little more than a decade. This 
was the first tiny rill, which perhaps became sluggish 
and stagnant after the departure of Falckner, until 
some years later new life was given to both the settle- 
ment and the Kingdom of God by the approach of the 
first waves of church immigration which finally 
brought the advent of Rev. Henkel to the settlement 
at the Swamp, named Falckner, after its first and orig- 
inal founder and pastor." 

Location. — This congregation is located in one of 
the Swamps. Five such are found in close proxim- 
ity. Pine Swamp in Chester County, Long Swamp 
in Berks County, Great Swamp in Bucks County, The 
Swamp in Lancaster County, and Falckner (not Fal- 
coner) Swamp in New Hanover Township, Mont- 
gomery County. All these are frequently designated 
as "The Swamp." Special attention therefore is to 
be given to this particular Swamp, which bears the 
name of Daniel Falckner, who operated here as land 
agent and preacher, and although leaving this com- 
munity more than two centuries ago, it still bears his 
name, and distinguishes this Swamp from all the 
others. 

Property Titles. — Daniel Falckner, who was en- 
trusted with, and empowered to sell, the 22,377 acres 
of land, was succeeded by John Henry Sprogell, who 
secured a large part of this tract, and was selling por- 
tions of the same to whosoever could be induced to 
buy. Sprogell, like Falckner, was a Lutheran, and 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 55 

manifested his interest in this congregation by donat- 
ing fifty acres of land for its use, "to build thereon a 
church, a school-house, graveyard and for such other 
purposes as the congregation may determine." Also 
"he requested Hendrick Pannebecker to lay out and 
survey fifty acres for this purpose, which survey was 
completed April 17th, 1719, and George Boone was 
directed to prepare a deed, but through some neglect 
this important paper was never executed." The con- 
gregation took possession of the land, which, after 
the survey was found to be only forty-nine acres, but 
later found it had no title to the property. Sprogell 
was dead ; consequently, John Potts, Esq., of Potts- 
grove, drew up a paper describing the property and 
stating the intentions of the donor, viz., to present this 
land to the congregation for its use and behoof. A 
number of affidavits are appended thereto, testifying 
that the facts mentioned therein are "real truths." 
Among those who thus testified were Hendrick Pan- 
nebecker, Johanna Christiana Sprogell, widow of John 
Henry Sprogell ; Anna - Happin, widow and sister ; 
John Frederick Reichert, Valentine Geiger, John 
George, and others. 

There is also an affidavit of George Boone at hand, 
testifying that he was requested to prepare a deed, but 
for some reason tin-explainable to himself he failed to 
do so. 

This transaction took place February 10, 1746, while 
the unfinished church found by Muhlenberg on his ar- 
rival was in progress of erection. 

Upon this document, still extant, and recorded in 
Deed Book, D Vol. 3, pp. 24 et seq., Philadelphia, de- 



56 JUBILEE VOLUME 

pends the title to the property upon which the present 
church stands. The same is also recorded in the Book 
of Letters of Attorney, pp. 24-27, in the office of the 
Department of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania, at 
Harrisburg, Pa. 

There is also a deed at hand for forty-nine acres of 
land, dated October 20, 1749, and is witnessed by John 
Campell and Anna Sherrard, which recites the fact 
that Henry Muhlenberg bought this land from 
Thomas Preston, of Philadelphia, for forty pounds 
($106.66 1 ). This is the property upon which the 
parsonage was erected, and it is distinctly stated "that 
the land was bought for the 'special use and behoof of 
the Minister of the New Church of Hanover.' " And 
again it is specified "that it is for the minister now in 
service for said congregation." This parsonage prop- 
erty, however, passed out of the congregation nearly 
fifty years ago, when the pastor moved to Boyer- 
town. 'The money realized by the sale of the prop- 
erty is still in possession of the congregation and the 
pastor enjoys its income. 

Church Buildings. — Whether the congregation 
has had but three, or four, church buildings will per- 
haps never be known, nor where the first church 
stood, but the following appears in the diary of Rev. 
Sandel, Swedish pastor at Molattan in the early part 
of the eighteenth century : "One of the first things he 
(Daniel Falckner) did in the new settlement was to 
organize a congregation, build a church, and hold 
services according to the Lutheran Ritual. This hum- 
ble structure, a mere rude log-cabin, without any at- 
tempt at ornamentation or architectural beauty, with 



N0RR1ST0WN CONFERENCE 57 

its sparse congregation and enthusiastic preacher, has 
the distinction of being the first regular German Lu- 
theran church and organized congregation in the 
Western World. It served the congregation until 
1721, when a more pretentious building was erected, 
also of logs." This seems to make it clear that the 
pastorate of Daniel Falckner and the first one of 
Rev. Henkel were not spent with a churchless con- 
gregation, but that they had a place of worship prior 
to 1721, however rude and simple it may have been. 

The second church was erected in 1721. It would 
be interesting to know where this church was located, 
its dimensions, its style of construction, but all we 
know about it is that in it serious minded people wor- 
shipped, and that it also lasted but for a score of 
years. 

Again the church building was unsatisfactory; per- 
haps it was too small to accommodate the growing 
congregation, perhaps it became dilapidated, because 
of the decaying character of the timber, grown on 
marshy soil in those primeval forests. Whatever the 
cause, history records the fact that another church 
building was begun in 1741, which Muhlenberg found 
unfinished, when he arrived in 1742, nor was it en- 
tirely completed until 1747. 

Tradition tells us that this building was also a log 
structure, built upon the old graveyard, about a hun- 
dred feet to the rear of the present building, and it 
was the church in which Muhlenberg preached during 
his entire active pastorate at this place. This church, 
therefore, was the scene of the greatest epoch in the 
early history of the congregation. We can never re- 



58 JUBILEE VOLUME 

hearse the great achievements of the Patriarch in this 
community without having in imind this third church 
in which the congregation worshipped during those 
eventful times. 

The fourth church was erected in 1767, and stands 
today as a living monument to the valor, the activity, 
and the far-sightedness of those early heroes of the 
Faith. To erect this building must have been in the 
minds of the people for some time, since on May 28, 
1765, they elected the following building committee: 
Matthias Hollebach, Adam Wartman, Matthias 
Reichert and Tobias Iiirger. By the time actual oper- 
ations began, however, changes had occurred, so that 
in 1767 the building committee consisted of Adam 
Wartman, Jacob Ebli and Matthias Reichert, as at- 
tested by a stone over the door. 

These erected a building, 46x67 feet, of gray 
stone and brown stone; the buttresses are of hewn 
sandstone. The architecture is of the Romanesque 
style, symmetrical and beautiful, sufficiently large to 
accommodate the congregation for a century and a 
half, and is still the joy and pride of the congregation. 

United Congregations. — This congregation has 
the distinction of being one of the three united con- 
gregations, and the strongest and the oldest of them 
all. 

Philadelphia, New Hanover and New Providence 
congregations united in a joint call for pastors from 
Europe, and also in an earnest appeal to the church 
authorities for funds to carry on their work. Churches 
and scnool-houses became a necessity, their pastors 
must De supported and other expenses defrayed ; since 



XORRISTOWX CONFERENCE 59 

they had not sufficient resources for all these things 
they sent Rev. John Christian Schultze, Daniel Weis- 
siger and John Daniel Schoener to Europe to gather 
money to assist them in their spiritual activities. The 
result was not very encouraging and very limited 
amounts were realized. Schultze never returned to 
America, the others returned and brought what little 
they had collected. More important, however, was 
their appeal to Dr. Francke, of Halle, for a capable 
and God-fearing pastor, and promised that if such an 
one be sent them to America they would pay his trav- 
eling expenses and provide for his support, and if 
need be, provide also for his return to Europe. 

Dr. Francke consulted with Dr. Ziegenhagen, the 
court preacher at London, to whom these men had al- 
ready appealed. After anxiously waiting for nearly 
ten years. Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was sent 
to them, whose arrival changed the entire complexion 
of American church life. Indeed, so prominently do 
his labors appear that the history of the Lutheran 
Church in America can not be written, unless the story 
of his activities be also told. For these data, however, 
we must look to more extended historical and bio- 
graphical efforts.* 

A fourth congregation — St. Michael's, German- 
town — was soon added to the three united congrega- 
tions already mentioned, and this bond became so well 
cemented that it was only natural that a Synod, the 
uniting of all the Lutheran churches into one common 



*"Life and Times of Rev. Henrv Melchior Muhlenberg," bv Rev. W. 
T. Mann, D.D.. LL.D. 

'"Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, D.D.," by Rev. William K. Frick, 
D.D. 



60 JUBILEE VOLUME 

body, should be the result. Therefore, in 1748, Muh- 
lenberg and his co-laborers organized the Synod of 
Pennsylvania, to which these original united congre- 
gations have been loyal ever since. 

Pastors and Catechists. — In a congregation's life 
and experience, we may also inquire, who were its 
prominent leaders, and who were instrumental in 
bringing about whatever success has been achieved ? It 
is utterly impossible to record the names of the many 
noble and devoted souls who have labored and wor- 
shipped in this congregation of so varied and long- 
continued history. Multitudes have been edified by 
the administration of the Word and Sacraments. Un- 
told numbers have sacrificed and sought to better 
their lives during the more than two centuries al- 
ready passed by, but who these have been the records 
of heaven alone can tell. It is even impossible to give 
an accurate and detailed account of the pastors and 
catechists who have ministered here in holy things. 
The names of some, however, here follow. 

Prominent among these stands the name of Daniel 
Falckner, pioneer and founder, as well as the first 
pastor from 1700 until 1708, when he left to assume 
charge of congregations on the Raritan, in New Jer- 
sey. In all probability he was instrumental in build- 
ing the first church at this place, for according to Rev. 
Sandd's diary, he "accompanied Daniel Falckner to 
Swamp and assisted him at the church service there 
on October 15, 1704." This seems to imply that there 
was a church there at that time. 

Rev. Andreas Rudman, a Swedish pastor at Molat- 
ton (Douglassville), as well as Sandel, is said to have 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 61 

preached for the Germans at New Hanover during 
the years 1702-1704. A probable interim followed 
after the pastorate of Daniel Falckner closed. We 
have no account of any regular services being con- 
ducted between 1708 and 1717. In this latter year 
Rev. Jacob Anthony Henkel, better known in history 
as Gerhard Henkel, accompanied by his son-in-law, 
Valentine Geiger, arrived and settled in Colebrook- 
dale, and became the pastor of this congregation. This 
pastorate is not marked by any brilliant events ; but 
since it closed in 1720, it must have been spent entirely 
in the first and original church, if there was a church 
building prior to the one erected in 1721. Rev. Hen- 
kel has the unique distinction of serving this congre- 
gation twice, the only one among his many sucessors. 
We find him here again from 1723-1728. During the 
interim between Henkel's pastorates, Rev. Samuel 
Hesselius, a Swedish pastor at Molatton, served the 
congregation from 1720 to 1723, probably only as a 
supply pastor. Yet it was during this time that the 
second log church building was erected. About the 
time that the second pastorate of Rev. Henkel closed 
in 1728, the Stoevers, father and son, arrived in 
America — John Casper Stoever, Sr., a missionary, and 
John Casper Stoever, Jr., a candidate of theology, not 
yet ordained. It has always been a debated question 
as to which one of these two was pastor at Swamp. 
One of them certainly has been, and in our humble 
judgment we think that both occupied this position, 
the father, before Rev. Schultze preached here, and 
the son afterward. There are no definite data at hand 
to prove this assertion, but here they were, the one a 



62 JUBILEE VOLUME 

minister, the other a student, and the congregation 
without a pastor. Ministerial acts were performed 
by a Rev. Stoever. Who performed them, the father 
or the son, the minister or the student? We submit, 
the father probably officiated at these services during 
the early years of his sojourn in America until 1732, 
when he removed to Virginia and never returned. Tn 
this year Rev. John Christian Schultze assumed the 
pastorate regularly, but only for a very brief period, 
for in this same year already we find him with two 
others, commissioned to go to Europe to gather funds 
for the benefit of the three united congregations. The 
Halle Reports tell us that before leaving, Rev. 
Schultze ordained John Casper Stoever to take his 
place to minister to the destitute church in America 
during his sojourn in Europe. This undoubtedly was 
the son whom Schultze ordained, and although soon 
thereafter we find him near New Holland, Lancaster 
County, nevertheless more ministerial acts followed 
and are recorded as having been performed by Rev. 
Stoever. The father did not return from Virginia 
to render these services, and although the son also had 
removed from this locality, yet he occupied the posi- 
tion of pastor here and at the Trappe from 1733 to 
1735, or perhaps later. He is regarded in history as 
the organizer of churches, for no one except Muhlen- 
berg alone has organized so many congregations, and 
begun as many church records as has he. His career, 
however, was not always smooth and easy. He is 
said to have been brusque in his manner and expres- 
sions. He figured prominently in the Tulpehocken 
confusion, and has had severe struggles with Count 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 63 

Zinzendorf . He lived to a ripe old age, died in Leba- 
non County, and is buried at the Hill Church, near 
Annville, Pa. 

Rev. Gabriel Falk, a Swedish pastor, officiated at 
the services at Swamp with more or less regularity 
from 1738 to 1740. During this pastorate the need 
of a larger and better church building became evi- 
dent, and preparations were made to erect such a 
building, which became a reality during the few suc- 
ceeding years. 

On Muhlenberg's arrival, he found an unfinished 
church, and a certain N. Schmidt, a quack doctor and 
a dentist, as pastor. Who this man was history fails 
to record. We know, however, that he readily yield- 
ed his position to Muhlenberg when he found that the 
latter had been sent by authority from Europe to min- 
ister to the united congregations in America. 

A better day dawned for the Lutheran Church in 
America. Muhlenberg now appears on the scene. It 
would be interesting here to incorporate his biography, 
but this being too extensive, we refer the reader to au- 
thors mentioned above. The Patriarch of the Luth- 
eran Church in America served this congregation 
regularly as pastor from 1742-1761, nearly twenty 
years, and continued the oversight until his death in 
1787. 

During his pastorate here he had many assistants 
but he also ministered to many other congregations. 
He was called upon in many places to assist in organ- 
izing congregations, settle strifes, adjust difficulties so 
that his life gave expression to his resolution, "the 
Church must be planted." He entered upon his work 



64 JUBILEE VOLUME 

energetically. He completed the church in 1747, built 
a school-house; built the church at Trappe in 1743; 
St. Michael's, Philadelphia, in 1748; besides teaching 
and preaching to advance the interests of the Ger- 
mans, so that it was soon realized that the work was 
entirely beyond his strength, and applications were 
sent to Germany for additional help to relieve him of 
his arduous task. The cry was not in vain. During 
the year 1745 Rev. Peter Brunholtz and Rev. J. Fred- 
erick Handschuh were sent to assist Muhlenberg in his 
colossal work. Rev. Handschuh assumed charge of 
St. Michael's, Germantown, and Rev. Brunholtz came 
to New Hanover February 9, 1745. He remained but 
a few months and was then sent elsewhere. 

In the same year came J. Nicholas Kurtz and John 
Helfrecht Schaum as catechists. J. Nicholas Kurtz 
perhaps became the first teacher of the school former- 
ly taught by Vigera, and also was the first one to be 
ordained to the ministry by the Synod at its first meet- 
ing in 1748. He shortly thereafter was called to the 
Tulpehocken charge, which he served for many years 
with credit to himself and a blessing to the people. 
J. Albrecht Weigand, Lucas Rauss, J. Helfrecht 
Schaum, Frederick Schultz and John William Kurtz 
were teachers and catechists here, under Muhlenberg 
as the chief pastor, from 1745 to 1759. They taught, 
studied and preached, and thereby prepared them- 
selves for the pastoral office, until in due time they 
were ordained and sent out to various congregations 
to do the Lord's work in the Kingdom. We cast the 
mantle of silence upon those who likewise appeared 
as candidates for the holy office, but who, on account 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 65 

of improper character or unfitness were set aside, and 
are not recognized as ministers of the Word. 

Rev. Jacob VanBuskerk, one of the earliest native 
ordained ministers in America, assumed charge of the 
congregation after Muhlenberg removed to Philadel- 
phia. He was ordained by the Swedish Provost 
Wrangel in 1763. He remained here but two years 
after his ordination. He also served Trappe and 
Zion's, Chester County. He was in Germantown from 
1765 to 1769, and later at Macungie, and served a 
number of congregations there until 1793, when he re- 
moved to Gwynedd, where he died August 5, 1800. 

Rev. J. Ludwig Voigt was pastor from 1765 to 
1776. It was at this time that the dlegant church, 
in which the congregation worships today, was erect- 
ed. The colossal undertaking, the mechanical skill, 
the excellency of its execution, all show the fervency 
of spirit, as well as the keen desire for a beautiful 
temple in which to show forth their praises to Al- 
mighty God. Rev. Voigt led them to accomplish this 
great achievement. No wonder he objected to have 
this holy place turned into a hospital, to accommodate 
wounded soldiers; no wonder, also, that he desired 
Synod to meet here in this church in 1768, and take 
part in the consecration of this church, which has now 
stood for one hundred and fifty years, and bids fair to 
defy the storms and ravages of time for centuries to 
come. A nobler monument, more beautiful and dur- 
able, could not have been erected to the memory of 
these devoted people. Rev. Voigt preached also at 
the Trappe, Zion's, East Pikeland and Pottstown. He 
was charged with being a Tory during those awful 



66 JUBILEE VOLUME 

days of the Revolution, but it was rather his loyalty 
to the Church and his devotion to sacred things which 
made him appear un-American. After Rev. Voigt's 
departure, five short pastorates followed. 

Two sons of the Patriarch occupied the pulpit. Rev. 
Fr. Aug. C. Muhlenberg, on account of hostilities 
which had arisen, found it advisable to leave New 
York and return to the Trappe. He assisted his 
father and became pastor at New Hanover in 1776, 
about the time of the signing of the Declaration of 
Independence, and remained here about a year, when 
he was elected to civil office, and his younger brother, 
Henry Ernst Muhlenberg, supplied the pulpit until 
some time in 1778 or 1779. On account of his ardent 
patriotism it also became necessary for him to leave 
Philadelphia. He found it more comfortable at this 
time to live at Trappe and assist his father. He also 
supplied Oley (Hill Church). In 1780 he became 
pastor of Trinity Church, Lancaster, where he re- 
mained until his death, thirty-five years thereafter. 

Rev. Frederick Ernst, as a catechist, instructed a 
class of catechumens in 1779 and 1780, and acted in 
the capacity of pastor. He was the father of the ven- 
erable Dr. Ernst, who was for a Hong time pastor of 
Salem Church, Lebanon, Pa. 

Rev. Daniel Lehman is said to have ministered to 
the congregation for a short time, probably only as a 
supply. 

Rev. Conrad Roeller also preached here and con- 
firmed several classes of catechumens, but he is known 
to have left here in 1782. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 67 

In this same year Rev. Christian Streit took charge 
of the congregation and remained here until 1785 or 
1786. He was another of those earlier native ordain- 
ed Lutheran ministers. He is said to have been a man 
of rare ability. When he resigned here, he went to 
Virginia. 

Rev. Timothy Kuehl performed a number of bap- 
tisms in 1788, and recorded these in the church rec- 
ord as having been administered by him as pastor, but 
no other pastoral activity seems to have been re- 
corded. 

Rev. J. Frederic Weinland, 1789-1796. This pastor 
seems to have had some stormy experiences. In 1790 
complaints were brought against him by a member of 
the Germantown congregation, but the matter was soon 
settled. Later an elder from the Swamp congregation 
charged him before Synod as a man of questionable 
conduct. His name on this account seems to have 
been dropped from the roll of Synod. Later he sought 
to be re-instated. He left New Hanover in 1796, but 
continued to preach at Pottstown and Trappe until his 
death, which occurred February 4, 1807. His body 
lies buried at the Trappe in an unknown grave. 

Rev. Fr. Wm. Geissenhainer, Sr., came to Swamp 
in 1797, and remained until 1808 — the longest pastor- 
ate since the days oi Muhlenberg. He lived in the 
parsonage, where his son, Rev. F. W. Geissenhainer, 
Jr., was born. He was a successful pastor, and must 
have been a theologian of no imean ability. He pre- 
pared a number of young men for the ministry, among 
whom were his own brother, Henry A., his son, Fred- 
eric W., his nephew, Rev. A. F. Geissenhainer, his 



68 JUBILEE VOLUME 

brother-in-law, John George Roeller, his son-in-law, 
Jacob Miller; also Frederic Waage, E. L. Braunsius, 
W. J. Eyer, Marcus Harpel, C. F. Welden, Fr. Miller 
and L. Schmidt. He followed a call to New York in 
1808 as Dr. Kunze's successor. 

Rev. Jacob Miller, a native of New Gosh- 
enhoppen, succeeded his father-in-law in 1809, 
and continued his service here in connection 
with a number of other congregations until 1829, 
when he was called to Trinity Church, Reading, Pa. 
He was highly esteemed as a man and as a pastor, 
and possessed rare ability as a pulpit orator. In 1829 
his brother, Rev. Conrad Miller, succeeded him, and 
remained here until his death. The church records 
seem to indicate that he greatly surpassed all his 
predecessors in large ingatherings of souls. He was 
dearly beloved by his people, and greatly lamented 
when typhoid fever carried him off in the midst of his 
usefulness. He died October 9, 1852, and is the only 
preacher buried on the graveyard of the congregation. 

Rev. Nathan Jaeger was called in 1853 as his suc- 
cessor. His power seemed to lie in his superior excel- 
lence as a catechist. There are those still living who 
speak of him in this respect in the highest terms of 
praise. But he was a mercenary man, which led him 
into secular engagements to increase his worldly pos- 
sessions. This, along with other eccentricities, in- 
volved him in severe entanglements with the congre- 
gation, which resulted in such grave misunderstand- 
ings that he resigned in 1857, and was succeeded in 
1858 by Rev. H. Wendt, who was a talented and high- 
ly educated man, and while here was well received by 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 69 

his people. He was highly interested in the religious 
training of the young, and had a distinctively Lu- 
theran Sunday-'school in the church, which later again 
joined the Union school in the district school-house. 
He left in 1864 to become the superintendent of the 
Germantown Orphans' Home. Here he fell into gross 
immorality, and besides being punished by the law, 
was deposed from the ministry. 

Rev. Abraham Groh became the pastor in 1865. He 
was an exceedingly brilliant preacher, but was in ill 
health when he came. The charge consisted of four 
congregations, and the work was entirely too labori- 
ous for his strength. After a pastorate of less than a 
year he succumbed to tuberculosis and died in Febru- 
ary, 1866. His body lies buried at Myerstown, Pa. 

His cousin, Rev. L. Groh, also a Lebanon County 
man, succeeded him, and remained pastor of the con- 
gregation for twenty years, 1866-1886. The charge 
now consisted of Boyertown and Swamp. During 
1882-1886 he also supplied Huber's Church at Nian- 
tic, Pa. His pastorate was a successful one, especially 
in arousing greater liberality among the people to- 
wards benevolence. In 1891 he went west and settled 
in Nebraska. A third time successively this congre- 
gation went to Lebanon County for a pastor This 
time Rev. J. J. Kline, of Myerstown, Pa., was called 
to this congregation and Huber's Church, which row 
formed a new pastoral charge. He organized Bech- 
telsville in 1886, and served it for thirty years as a 
supply congregation. In 1896 Grace congregation in 
Pottstown was organized, and in 1905 Huber's was 
detached by Conference from the parish, and Grace 



70 JUBILEE VOLUME 

congregation added, so that once again Swamp and 
Pottstown are being served by the same pastor. 

This pastorate at the Swamp, now extending over 
a period of thirty years, is the longest o'f all others for 
a period of over two centuries. 

Partial List of Pastors and Catechists 

Daniel Falckner 1700-1708 

Andreas Rudman 1702 

Andreas Sandel 1704 

Gerhard Henkel 1717-1720 

Samuel Hesselius 1720-1723 

Gerhard Henkel 1723-1728 

J. Casper .Stoever, Sr 1728-1732 

John C. Schultze 1732-1733 

John Casper Stoever, Jr 1733-1735 

Gabriel Falk .*.... 1738-1741 

N. Schmidt 1742 

Henry M. Muhlenberg 1742-1761 

Assistants and Catechists, 1745-1759 

Peter Brunholtz Lucas Rauss 

J. Nicholas Kurtz J. Helfrecht Schaum 

Albrecht Weigand Frederick Schultz 

John Wm. Kurtz 

Jacob Van Buskerk 1763-1765 

J. Ludwig Voigt 1765-1776 

F. Aug. C. Muhlenberg 1776-1777 

H. Ernst Muhlenberg 1777-1778 

Daniel Lehman .1778-1779 

Frederick Ernst 1780 

Conrad Roeller 1780-1782 

Christian Streit 1782-1785 

Timothy Kuehl 1788 

Frederick Weinland 1789-1796 

Fr. Wm. Geisenhainer, Sr 1797-1808 

Jacob Miller 1809-1829 

Conrad Miller 1829-1852 

Nathan Jaeger 1853-1857 

Henry Wendt 1858-1864 

Abraham Groh '. 1865-1866 

Leonard Groh 1866-1886 

J. J. Kline 1886 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 71 

Additional Data. — The noted historic events prior 
to the days of the arrival of the Patriarch Muhlen- 
berg- must be passed by in silence ; no records are ex- 
tant other than those already given. But a few years 
thereafter, however, the Synod of Pennsylvania was 
organized, which met at this place five times, and at 
every meeting, save two, important transactions took 
place. The first meeting was held in New Hanover, 
June 16-18, 1754. The second, November 6 and 
7, 1768, at which time the present church building was 
consecrated, the Synod taking part. The third meet- 
ing took place May 25, 1777. The fourth was ap- 
pointed for the first Sunday after Trinity, 1778, but 
Synod did not meet until October 4th to 6th, the 'same 
year. At this meeting we are told that the first con- 
stitution of the Ministerium was finally adopted at 
New Hanover. "This congregation therefore enjoys 
the distinction of having witnessed the adoption of the 
first Synodical Constitution, adopted by a Lutheran 
Church body in America." 

The last meeting of Synod held here took place 
June 19-22, 1791. At this time one of its most 
important actions was taken. St. Michael's and Zion's 
of Philadelphia memorialized the Synod, asking that 
the lay delegates be "accorded a seat and vote in every 
meeting of the Ministerium." Synod granted this 
privilege. This representation has never been with- 
drawn, nor curtailed in any of its rights, and it 
changed the whole form and constitution of Synod to 
a free representative body, wdiich it remains to this 
day. 



72 JUBILEE VOLUME 

In 1748 subscriptions were taken for the purchase 
of a bell. Dr. Muhlenberg so attests to a minute of 
January 24, .1751. This church is also said to have 
had an organ. 

The first organ of which we have any definite 
knowledge is the one of 1801, built by Christian Dief- 
feribach. The agreement made between him and the 
church council is still in existence, describing the style 
and character of the instrument and stipulated the 
price to be paid. This organ rendered service for one 
hundred and four years until displaced in 1905 by the 
present excellent instrument built by Bates & Culley, 
of Philadelphia, Pa. 

In 1794 the council resolved to incorporate the con- 
gregation. 

On April 22, 1826, the congregation resolved to 
renovate the church by taking the brick floor out of 
the church and placing a wooden floor into it, chang- 
ing the windows, painting the church, procuring new 
doors and making other necessary improvements. 
Tradition relates that at this time also stoves were in- 
stalled. 

In 1867 the centennial of the building of the present 
church was celebrated, in connection with the three 
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Reformation. 
At this time the interior of the building was entirely 
changed, a vestibule put in, the doors at the sides of 
the church were walled up, leaving but the one en- 
trance, the pulpit and organ were placed at the ends of 
the building, and the galleries placed on the long sides 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 73 

of the church with an organ loft at the east end, also 
a steeple was built and a bell purchased, all of which 
is still intact. 

Another partial renovation followed in 1885, prior 
to the division of the charge, and the change of the 
last pastorate. This consisted in frescoing the walls, 
painting the wood work and slating the roof. 

In November, 1903, bi-centennial services of the 
organization of the congregation were observed. The 
enthusiasm of the people was greatly aroused, so that 
during the following year the entire building was 
again re-modeled. A new heating plant was installed, 
new stained glass memorial windows placed, new 
floors, new carpets, new pews, new altar furnishings, 
and a new organ, all of which was completed by Au- 
gust, 1905, and added greatly to the appearance and 
attractiveness of the sanctuary. 

The Sunday-school was organized in April, 1887, 
and ever since has been conducted as a distinctively 
Lutheran school. The General Council Graded Series 
of Lessons are used, and the children are taught Lu- 
theran principles and usages. A Luther League has 
also lately been organized. 

A few of the congregation have entered the Gos- 
pel ministry. Rev. D. K. Kepner, Rev. Clayton Drum- 
heller, Rev. U. S. G. Bertolet and Rev. Orlando S. 
Yerger. Others who were baptized here have later 
been called to the sacred office. Revs. George F. Mil- 
ler, Wm. B. Fox, Josiah B. Fox, Josiah S. Renninger, 
Jesse Erb and Solomon E. Ochsenford, D.D. 



74 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Thus history moves on in its relentless march, re- 
cording the deeds of the past, while times and circum- 
stances change, pastors and people die, but the church 
goes on 'in its Messed work until "the kingdoms of this 
world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of 
his Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever." 



GRACE, HATFIELD 



SO many Lutherans from Hatfield belonged to 
and attended the Hilltown Church, three miles 
away, that through the suggestion of Rev. M. J. 
Kuehner, then pastor of the Hilltown parish, the Lu- 
therans of Hatfield conceived the idea that it might be 
possible for them to buifld their own church or at least 
to have their own services in Hatfield. The first ser- 
vice was held in Knipe's Hall on October 8, 1899, Rev. 
Kuehner officiating. On October 22, 1899, a Sunday- 
school was organized. In the spring of 1904 Rev. P. 
A. Behler became the pastor, and under his leader- 
ship an organization was effected on May 12, 1904, 
and the congregation chose to call itself "Grace Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Church of Hatfield, Pa." A consti- 
tution was adopted and signed by 32 members. At a 
congregational meeting held on May 22, 1904, the first 
Church Council was elected as follows : E. K. Swart- 
ley, Frank K. Zepp, Conrad Frey, John Hunsicker, 
Henry B. Delp and George S. Snyder. On June 1, 
1904, a lot located on Main Street was bought from 
Conrad Frey for $300. On July 5, 1904, it was de- 
cided to erect a church on the lot at an approximate 




GRACE:, HATFIELD 



NORRISTOWN conference 75 

cost of $4,000. The contract was awarded to J. B. 
Delp, of Souderton, Pa. The cornerstone was laid on 
October 2, 1904. The following pastors were pres- 
ent : Rev. P. A. Behler, Rev. J. H. Waidelich, Rev. J. 
L. Becker, Rev. F. K. Fretz and Rev. A. C. Schenck. 
On April 11, 1905, the congregation united with the 
Minister ium of Pennsylvania. The new church was 
consecrated on August 27, 1905, at which time 
Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D.D., spoke. The bell 
was donated by the North Wales Lutheran 
Church, and the chandeliers by the Sellersville 
Lutheran Church. On May 14, 1908, the Luther 
League was organized by E. B. George, of 
Sellersville. During the year 1910 electric lights 
were installed. Rev. P. A. Behler preached his fare- 
well sermon on Christmas Day, 1910, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. H. S. Paules. At the annual congre- 
gational meeting hdd on January 1, 1912, it was de- 
cided to purchase a lot on the north side of the 
church. On April 27, 1915, a tract of land lying 
north of town and measuring 5 acres and 75 perches, 
was purchased for a cemetery. A great deal of the 
success of Grace Church is due to the Dorcas Society, 
which was organized on October 19, 1901. In 1914 
these ambitious women erected a small building on the 
lot aside of the church, in which they are now doing 
their work. The present officers and members of the 
council are as follows : Secretary, E. K. Swartley ; 
treasurer, Frank K. Zepp ; financial secretary, James 
Miller; Henry B. Delp, Charles Reller and Paul Hol- 
lenbach. 



ST. PETER'S, HILLTOWN 



NOTHING very definite can be obtained of the 
early history of this congregation, with the ex- 
ception of such items as have mere reference to the 
pastors that served it. The congregation was organ- 
ized in the year 1805 and the church was erected in 
union with the Reformed congregation of the same 
place. We know that it has been served by the follow- 
ing ministers: 

Rev. J. K. Rebenack, who assisted in organizing the 
congregation in the year 1805, was its first pastor. He 
was followed by Rev. J. Mensch. Rev. John Wieand 
was the third pastor. In March, 1829, the Rev. W. 
B. Kemmerer took charge of the congregation and 
served it until the fall of 1859 — a period of 30 years. 
He lived about one year after he discontinued his min- 
istry, and died on the 5th of August, in the year 1860. 
He was deeply interested in the welfare of this con- 
gregation, and would not leave it until he cou'ld find 
a suitable successor. His last visit to Hilltown was in 
company with the next pastor. Feeble and failing in 
health, he earnestly entreated the congregation to ac- 
cept the candidate whom he recommended, namely, F. 
Berkemeyer, who became the pastor. His first visit to 
the Hilltown Church was on the 4th of September, in 
the year 1859. 

On the 12th of November, 1883, the four hun- 
dredth anniversary of Luther's birth was celebrated 
in the Hilltown Church. The Rev. G. A. Bruegel, of 
Cherryville, Pa., preached on the occasion. 

76 







ST. PETER'S, HILLTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 77 

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the pastorate of 
Rev. F. Berkemeyer in the Hilltown charge was cele- 
brated on the 7th of October, 1884, in the Hilltown 
Church. A committee of arrangements was appoint- 
ed, consisting of James H. Wolfe, Esq., Dr. Samuel 
Wolfe, Hon. James M. Snyder, Dr. E. K. Blank, 
Messrs. William Shirm, William H. SavacoOl and 
Abraham R. Reiff, Esq. 

The speakers were Rev. A. Spaeth, D.D., of Phila- 
delphia; James H. Wolfe, Esq., a member of 
the Philadelphia bar, and a catechumen of the 
pastor; Dr. Samuel Wolfe, also a catechumen; 
Rev. O. P. Smith, from the Trappe, and Rev. 
A. R. Home, D.D. The singing was conducted 
by Rev. J. F. Ohl, of Quakertown, as organist, 
with his choral society consisting of 16 singers, and 
Miss Anna E. Stein, of Bethlehem, as soloist. Dr. 
Spaeth's sermon was based on 1 Thess. 2:10-12. He 
spoke of the pastor's work and the testimony of the 
congregation to such pastoral work. Dr, Wolfe's 
poem was elegant and appropriate. Rev. Smith's ad- 
dress contained many good points. James Wolfe's 
address was carefully and elegantly prepared and 
treated of the anniversary. Dr. Home spoke on 1 
Samuel 7:12. All the music rendered on this occa- 
sion, the playing of the organ, the singing of the soci- 
ety and the solos by Miss Stein, helped to make the 
anniversary a success. 

In 1895 Rev. M. J. Kuehner was elected and served 
until 1904. During this pastorate a very successful 
jubilee service was held on June 5, and 6, 1896, to 
celebrate the 150th anniversary of the organization of 



78 JUBILEE VOLUME 

the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and the 90th anni- 
versary of the congregation. The church was beauti- 
fully decorated, special music and an excellent pro- 
gram were provided. At four different services the 
church was completely filled with an attentive and ap- 
preciative audience. The pastor was assisted by Rev. 
A. R. Home, D.D., Rev. C. J. Cooper, of Allentown; 
Rev J. L. Becker, of Lansdale; Rev. D. H. Reiter, of 
Quakertown, then president of the Norristown Con- 
ference; Rev. H. C. Grossman, of Chalfont, and by 
three former members of the congregation, namely : 
Elmer Snyder, M.D., Frank Smith and Frank Fretz. 

On November 29, 1904, Rev. P. A. Behler was in- 
stalled as pastor. On September 24, and 25, 1904, dur- 
ing his pastorate, the Lutherans at Hilltown, united 
with the Reformed congregation in celebrating the 
centennial anniversary. Mr. Jas. H. Wolfe, Esq., a 
son of the congregation, delivered a thoughtful ad- 
dress ; on Sunday morning Rev. F. Berkemeyer, the 
oldest living pastor, preached a German sermon. In 
the afternoon Rev. W. O. Fegley, Rev. P. A. Laury 
and Rev. C. C. Snyder, a son of the congregation, de- 
livered short addresses. 

During this pastorate the Union Sunday-school was 
discontinued and the Lutherans started their own 
Sunday-school. 

On the first of January, 1911, the resignation of 
Rev. P. A. Behler took effect. On March 12, 1911, 
Howard S. Paules, then a student in the Mt. Airy 
Seminary, was elected to become the next pastor. He 
was ordained on June 11, 1911, at the meeting of the 
Ministerium in Lebanon and was installed as pastor 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 79 

of the Hilltown parish in the Hilltown Church by the 
Rev. C. C. Snyder on June 18, 1911. During the sum- 
mer of 1912 the church Avas renovated at a cost of al- 
most $1,900. The church and basement were fres- 
coed, the interior woodwork re-painted, the organ re- 
paired and cleaned, and a pulpit stairway installed, as 
well as new carpet placed in the entire church. Spe- 
cial union services were held on Sunday, October 13, 
1912, morning, afternoon and evening. Large audi- 
ences were present at each service. The sermons in 
the morning were delivered by Rev. James L. Becker, 
of Lansdale, and Rev. Yost, of Ursinus College. Ad- 
dresses were delivered in the afternoon by Rev. Roth- 
rock, of Lansdale ; Rev. Warren Nickel, of Souder- 
ton; Rev. Peters, of Perkasie ; Rev. Frantz, of Tel- 
ford, and Rev. P. A. Laury ; of Perkasie. The even- 
ing sermons were delivered by two sons of the congre- 
gations, namely, by Rev. C. C. Snyder, then president 
of the Norristown Conference, and pastor of Trinity 
Lutheran Church, Quakertown, and Rev. Frank Cur- 
tis, president of the Allentown College for Women. 
On October 20, 1912, the Woman's Home and For- 
eign Missionary Society presented the congregation 
with a set of beautiful green altar cloths. Later they 
presented the congregation with a purple and with a 
white set. On October 20, 1912, the congregation was 
also presented Avith four walnut offering plates by 
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Martin, in memory of their de- 
ceased sons, Edward and Walter Martin. During the 
summer of 1915 a Young Men's Association was or- 
ganized, now numbering 31 members. In the same 
year a new roof was placed on the church at a cost of 



80 JUBILEE VOLUME 

$400. The congregation numbers 302 members. The 
members and officers of the present Church Council 
are as follows : Secretary, William R. Kober ; treas- 
urer, Isaiah S. Snyder ; financial secretary, Frank 
Moll ; honorary trustee, Henry H. Snyder ; trustees, 
Isaiah S. Snyder and William R. Kober; other mem- 
bers are Adam Kloepfer, Aaron Kramer, Melvin H. 
Lengel, Reuben Martin and George E. Moyer. 



CHRIST, (HUBER'S) NIANTIC 



DURING the last decade there has been a univer- 
sal and extraordinary endeavor to search into 
the history of past events and experiences. Every- 
where about us there have been introduced many fam- 
ily reunions through which this research into the fam- 
ily history has been very considerably furthered. It 
is but natural that each individual congregation make 
a similar attempt, lest the many important and critical 
periods of past local church history sink into never- 
ending oblivion. Whenever such an endeavor is made 
to delve into the distant past of our respective congre- 
gations a sad lack of complete church records is most 
keenly felt. This being our present experience, a de- 
tailed description of the churches under our care is 
well-nigh impossible. 

It was in the year 1835 that the question of the pos- 
sibility of starting a congregation at Niantic presented 
itself to those members of the Falckner Swamp and 
New Goshenhoppen churches who lived in that vicin- 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 81 

ity of Douglass Township. The cause of this under- 
taking was not that these Christian people were no 
longer in brotherly and friendly relations with these 
churches, nor that they did no longer feel at home 
therein, but simply because of the long distance to 
each of these houses of worship. 

The number of the Lutheran and Reformed breth- 
ren being rather small, they decided to erect a union 
church. After hard and long, yet faithful and de- 
voted zeal, their efforts were crowned with success 
when in the spring of 1836 the cornerstone was laid 
and on June 9th and 10th of the following year the 
completed church was consecrated. Pastors Frederick 
Waage, Strassburger, Bassler, Soto and others had 
charge of these services. This building was erected 
at a cost of $1,578.16. 

On September 17, 1836, the members of both con- 
gregations, after having had services for some time 
wherever and whenever possible, called a congrega- 
tional meeting in order to elect pastors and church 
councils. Rev. Frederick Waage was elected as Lu- 
theran pastor and the Rev. Henry Bassler Re- 
formed. Both pastors were agreed to receive as a re- 
muneration for their services whatever the deacons 
would collect from year to year. For their first year's 
work each pastor received $64.87. Pastor Waage 
served this congregation until 1868, when, after a 32 
years' very successful pastorate, his son, the Rev. O. 
F. Waage, succeeded him. The old church was soon 
too small, and since there was no room for a Sunday- 
school, it was decided in 1871, after the old church 
had stood for thirty-six years, to build a new edifice. 



82 JUBILEE VOLUME 

The first church was a stone building, without tower 
and basement but with a gallery on three sides. 

On Whitsunday, May 19, 1872, the cornerstone of 
the second church was laid. Pastors Waage, Groh, 
Evans and Hoffman were present. This building was 
consecrated on May 10, and 11, 1873. Revs. Home, 
Conrad, Weiser, Davis and Strassburger, and others, 
officiated. 

A union Sunday-school was organized in 1869, 
which continued for four years, when it was de- 
cided that each congregation should have and conduct 
its own school. 

On November 5, 1882, Pastor Waage took leave 
from the congregation, having spent about fifteen 
years of his life in great usefulness among these de- 
voted people. Rev. L. Groh, D.D., served from 1882 
to 1886, in which time he endeared himself with the 
whole congregation through his zeal and faithful abid- 
ing in the Word of God which he fearlessly pro- 
claimed. 

Rev. J. J. Kline, Ph.D., became pastor in 1886. Dur- 
ing his service the congregation made rapid strides in 
all the activities of the Church. During his pastorate 
the church was renovated and the membership reached 
its zenith mark. Pastor Kline's years of active pas- 
toral oversight were fruitful in many ways. At least 
four of the sons of the congregation were influenced 
to enter the work of the ministry, while a devoted 
daughter of the congregation entered the blessed 
work of deaconess. 

Rev. M. A. Kurtz was elected pastor of Christ's 




CHRIST, NIANTIC 



- 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 83 

Church on March 11, 1906. During his pastorate 
regular English services were introduced, as well as 
the liturgical service in both languages, and the gown 
which was but recently presented to him by the con- 
gregation. A valuable property across the street from 
the church was purchased. The benevolent work of 
the congregation was very much increased during Pas- 
tor Kurtz's service, having raised $2,600 during the 
nine years of his pastorate for the various causes of 
the Church. 

On October 1, and 2, 1910, the seventy-fifth anni- 
versary of the congregation was held. At this time 
the Rev. O. F. Waage and the four sons of the con- 
gregation, as well as other visiting clergymen, took 
part in the services. This proved to be a happy event 
in the life of the congregation, and a great multitude 
enjoyed the day at their favorite spiritual home. The 
following sons of the congregation have entered the 
ministry and are doing exceptionally good work in 
their respective fields : Rev. Harrison Moyer, Rev. 
George Genszler, Rev. Lawrence R. Miller and Rev. 
Howard W. Krauss. Miss Flora Moyer is an active 
deaconess at the Mary J. Drexel Home. All of these 
were influenced to consecrate their lives to these sev- 
eral callings during the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Kline. 
Since then Rev. Robert H. Krauss has entered the 
holy office. 

Pastor Kurtz, having resigned the pastorate of 
Christ's Church on September 12, 1915, in order to 
accept a call to another field of labor, left 



84 JUBILEE VOLUME 

on October first, at the eightieth anniversary 
of the congregation. The following spring Rob- 
ert H. Ischinger, a student at Mt. Airy Semi- 
nary, was elected and called to become the pas- 
tor. He was installed in July, 1916, by Rev. Warren 
Nickel, president of the Norristown Conference. Rev. 
H. D. E. Siebott, German secretary of the Minister- 
ium, also participated in the services. 



LITTLE ZION, (INDIANFIELD) 
FRANCONIA 



THE Indianfield Lutheran Church is located in 
Franconia Township, Montgomery County, 
Pa., and is one of the oldest Lutheran churches in 
Pennsylvania. The congregation was the first religi- 
ous organization in Franconia Township. The con- 
gregation was organized in 1730 and is the second 
oldest Lutheran congregation in the county. A few 
German families o*f the Lutheran faith, coming from 
the Palatinate, on account of religious persecution, 
settled along the north branch of the Perkiomen 
creek ; also along the Indian creek and vicinity, during 
the years 1710-1720. True to their God and faith, 
they erected their first church building in 1730, built 
of logs. This building was erected on one acre of 
land donated and afterwards, in his last sickness, will- 
ed by Lodwick Lerekell to the German Lutheran con- 
gregation of Indianfield, for church and school pur- 
poses as long as the sun and moon shine. In 1751 his 
widow, now Mrs. Peter Snider, gave a deed for the 




LITTLE ZION, INDIANFIELD 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 85 

one acre of land to the congregation. The congrega- 
tion paying 5s. for the same. Since then the congre- 
gation has secured about five acres of land at different 
times. The log church erected in 1730 served the con- 
gregation for church and school purposes until 1766, 
when it was enlarged. This enlarged building gave 
place to the present stone church building in 1792, 
which in 1868 received for the third time a new roof 
of slate. This building was enlarged in 1881 under 
the pastorate of Rev. Waltz, at which time an addi- 
tion of 12x40 was built to the front, or southeast side 
of the church, with a tower containing a bell. The 
ground floor plan of the present church is of rec- 
tangular form with a length of 54x40. The interior 
is fitted up most admirably, contains a gallery on three 
sides, one of which is occupied by a pipe organ. The 
first pipe organ was secured by the congregation in 
1820, built by Mr. Krauss, of Krausdale, Pa. In 1906 
this one was replaced by the present pipe organ, built 
by Charles Durner, of Quakertown, Pa., at a cost of 
$2,000. In the spring of 1916 the exterior and in- 
terior of the church were renovated and beautified, and 
so equipped as to make it a modern church building. 
The interior was frescoed, the decorations and paint- 
ings being a fine work of art. The floor was laid with 
Brussels carpets, the church electrically equipped and 
the exterior painted, at a cost of $2,000, all of which 
was provided for before the close of the services on the 
day of reopening, August 27, 1916. On this occasion 
the pastor was assisted by Dr. Offermann, of the Mt. 
Airy Seminary, preaching the sermon based on Luke 
19:1-10. At the afternoon service Revs. Nickel, 



86 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Waidelich and Paules preached the sermons. At the 
evening service Rev. W. A. Fluck preached on Exodus 
14:15. The first constitution was adopted in 1836. 
The second, recommended by the General Council, 
was adopted by the congregation in 1895. The con- 
gregation united with the Minister ium in 1751. In 
1750 Henry Melchior Muhlenberg preached and ad- 
ministered the Lord's Supper to the congregation. In 
the year 1834 the house in which the sexton lived was 
destroyed by fire, and many of the early church rec- 
ords were destroyed. The present house in which the 
sexton lives was built in 1834. In 1892 the congrega- 
tion celebrated the centennial of the erection of the 
present beautiful church building. The congregation 
was incorporated under the present pastorate in 1895. 
The congregation gave four sons to the gospel minis- 
try, viz., Rev. George Roeller and Rev. Isaac Roeller, 
deceased. Rev. A. Waltz, of Brooklyn, and Rev. J. F. 
C. Fluck, of Philadelphia. This congregation is the 
mother church of all the Lutheran churches in this vi- 
cinity. Her latest daughter is St. Pau'l's Lutheran 
Church, of Telford, Pa. She still has a membership 
of 215 active members. The supposition is that 
Streiter, who acted as the first pastor of the Old Gosh- 
enhoppen congregation, was also pastor at Indianfield 
until 1741. Conrad Andrea, who had come to this 
country from Germany in 1742, assumed charge of 
this congregation in connection with the Old and 
New Goshenhoppen congregations. He remained with 
these congregations until 1750, when he resigned and 
moved to Germantown, where he died January 1, 
1754. In 1752 Lucas Rauss became pastor. At this 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 87 

time Indianfield was united with Tohickon and Old 
Goshenhoppen into a parish. Rauss was not quite 
regular in meeting his appointments, and this some- 
times gave offence to his parishioners. For this rea- 
son he became estranged from the people in Tohickon 
and Indianfield, so that he thought it advisable to re- 
sign these congregations in 1753, remaining at Old 
Goshenhoppen until 1758. In 1753 Rev. Frederick 
Schultz became pastor and served the congregation 
until 1763. The existing church record was begun by 
him in 1753. Rev. Joseph Roth assumed charge in 
1763-1767. Rev. John M. Enterline was pastor from 
1767 to 1771. With the coming of Conrad Roeller a 
brighter future opened for the congregation. He took 
charge in 1772. The temporarily dissolved pastoral 
district, organized by the Synod in 1751, was restored 
under his able leadership. He remained pastor until 
his death in June, 1799. He was buried under the 
altar of the Indianfield church. His son, George, be- 
came pastor in 1800, serving until his death in March, 
1840. He lies buried in the rear of the church. Pas- 
tor E. Peixotto became pastor in 1841, remaining un- 
til 1864. He died while pastor of the Lutheran 
Church at Manayunk in 1871. In 1865 F. Waltz as- 
sumed charge, serving the congregation for 28 years 
and 3 months. After his resignation he was elected 
pastor emeritus. He lies buried at Sellersville. In 
the fall of 1892, C. R. Fetter was elected as successor 
to Rev. Waltz, assuming charge April 1, 1893. The 
services of the church were in the German language 
up to the present pastorate, when English was intro- 
duced into the services every fourth Sunday. 



ST. LUKE'S, (KEELOR'S) FREDERICK 



A BAND of Christians in Frederick Township, 
Penna., adhering to the doctrinal principles of 
the two Protestant denominations, Lutheran and Re- 
formed, being isolated by a considerable distance 
from their mother churches, viz., Swamp, St. Paul's 
at Red Hill and Old Goshenhoppen near Salfordville, 
Pa., yet hungering and thirsting for more frequent 
participation in the public worship of Almighty God, a 
desire grew up in their hearts for a place of worship 
in their neighborhood. This desire impelled them to 
investigate and see whether a sufficient number of 
people of their faith were in the neighborhood to jus- 
tify them to undertake such a project. The result 
culminated in the announcement and holding of a pub- 
lic meeting, where it was speedily decided to build a 
church of brick, to be a Union church and to be named 
"Friede in Zion Gemeinde," but later its name was 
changed to St. Luke's Church. A lot was secured, 
voluntary contributions were made, some contribut- 
ing timber, others stone and others labor, hauling, 
etc., all unitedly laboring together, and their fond 
hopes of a place of public worship, in their neighbor- 
hood, were realized, in the completion of the church 
building in 1834. 

We deplore the absence of the facts relative to the 
laying of the cornerstone, or of the dedication of the 
church, for there is no record whatever of anything 
up to 1858, except a record of baptisms, a few com- 

88 




ST. LUKE'S, FREDERICK 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 89 

munion lists and a record of three classes confirmed, 
nor could any of the oldest members give us any reli- 
able information relative to these occasions. 

Already, early in the history of the congregation, 
thoughtful men and women looked to the future of 
the congregation and rightly felt that the perpetu- 
ation of the same depended upon the future genera- 
tions and that they were obligated to make provision 
for the training of their children "in the admonition 
of the Lord/' This resulted in the organization of a 
Union Sunday-school in the church building, which, 
however, became the cause of one of the most spirited 
contests in the history of the congregation. This or- 
ganization was driven from the church and compelled 
to erect a separate building for Sunday-school pur- 
poses, in which building the Sunday-school was con- 
ducted for a number of years, until prudence and wis- 
dom prevailed, and the Sunday-school was permitted 
to hold their sessions in the church building. Here 
they are held today, and a most efficient and 
active Sunday-school prevails, which efficiency is 
largely the result of the untiring efforts and zeal of 
Prof. John Gresh, a competent, godly and able 
leader. The school also has a separate building for 
the infant department, located across the street from 
the church, also used for catechetical instruction and 
other kindred meetings. The first official record of 
any act in the congregation is that of a class confirm- 
ed by Rev. Conrad Miller, on November 16, 1834. The 
first baptism recorded took place January 11, 1835. 

On December 1, 1858, a congregational meeting was 
held to prepare a constitution for the Lutheran con- 



90 JUBILEE VOLUME 

gregation, which was submitted and accepted, item by 
item, at a subsequent meeting, held December 20, 
1858. 

On June 16, 1860, at a congregational meeting, it 
was decided to adopt the Lutheran Church Book, then 
called "Wollenweber's Gesangbuch," which is gradu- 
ally being eliminated. The "Kirchenbuch" and the 
entire liturgical service is used at both morning and 
evening services. 

On June 18, 1864, a committee from the Sumney- 
town congregation appeared before a congregational 
meeting and proposed that St. Luke's withdraw from 
the Swamp parish, from which it was supplied up to 
this time, and unite with Sumneytown, Pennsburg and 
Sassamansville, to form a parish, but no delegate be- 
ing present from Pennsburg, the matter was post- 
poned to a later and more opportune time. October 
21, 1865, the secretary of the congregation was ad- 
vised to ask the advice of Conference on the matter, 
which, however, the congregation rejected by a vote 
of 10 for and 33 against. 

On February 1, 1868, representatives from each of 
the four congregations, viz., Sumneytown, Pennsburg, 
Sassamansville and St. Luke's met at Sumneytown 
and decided that the four congregations unite 
and form a parish, which action was ratified at 
a congregational meeting held March 21, 1868, and 
ratified by Conference on October 4, 1868, at Trappe, 
Pa. This union of these four congregations continued 
until 1904, when Pennsburg and Sassamansville with- 



X0RRIST0WX CONFERENCE 91 

drew, and St. Luke's and St. John's at Sumneytown 
formed a charge, which continues as a parish to date. 

On March 20, 1886. a charter and new by-laws were 
granted and adopted. On July 25, 1887, by the will 
and testament of Caroline Stettler, the Lutheran con- 
gregation came into possession of a legacy of $1,400, 
the interest of which, or as much of it as is required, 
to keep in good repair her and her husband's monu- 
ment, and the rest to be used to keep in repair the old 
cemetery. 

In 1916 the individual communion cups were intro- 
duced, as well as the duplex envelope system. 

St. Luke's is full of zeal and endeavor, having a 
Union Young People's Society, Home Department of 
the Sunday-school, a Cradle Roll Department and a 
live church council. In benevolence she always meets 
her obligations, and we have reasons to predict that 
in the future she will measure up very creditably to 
her responsibility. 

, Rev. Conrad Miller seems to have been the pastor 
in 1834, being credited with confirming 3 classes, a 
number of baptisms and communion lists. 

Rev. X. Jaeger was pastor from May 5, 1853, to 
November 2, 1856. 

When Rev. H. Wendt became the pastor is not 
known, but in connection with the Swamp charge he 
served St. Luke's up to September 17, 1864. 

On August 19. 1865, Rev. A. Groh was elected to 
serve as supply until it would be determined to which 
parish St. Luke's belonged. Rev. Francis T. Hoover 
was pastor from March 24, 1866, to April 19, 1868; 



92 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Rev. Laitzle, .from May 3, 1868, to October 4, 1868; 
Rev. William B. Fox, from 1868, to April 1, 1905; 
Rev. Charles F. Dapp, from July 5, 1905, to August 
21, 1910; Rev. Cyrus E. Held, from November 1, 
1910, to the present. 



ST. MATTHEW'S, (KELLER'S) 
BEDMINSTER 



ST. MATTHEW'S Evangelical Lutheran Church, 
better known as Keller's Church, is situated at 
the upper end of Bedminster Township, Bucks 
County, Pa. Standing upon a prominence along the 
Ridge road with the Tohickon creek winding along its 
base, it commands the view of one of the most fertile 
valleys of the country. 

Of the first building nothing more is known than 
the mere fact of its existence. Tradition claims it to 
have been a log structure, built upon the present site. 
A large tract oif land upon which the church was lo- 
cated was bought for sixty dollars and forty-seven 
cents by Henry Acker, Henry Keller and Christian 
Stoneback, the trustees of the congregation, and a 
warrant granted for the same August 17, 1751. 
Twenty acres of the original tract are still the prop- 
erty of the congregation. The second church was a 
building of stone sometimes cal'led the "Bush Kirch," 
or "The Church of the Woods," so called on account 
of its location at the end of the long tract of woodland 
on either side of the Ridge road. Its more common 
name was the "Stange Kirch," or "Bar Church." This 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 93 

name it derived from the long iron bar that passed 
through its bulging and supported walls. It derived its 
present name from Heinrich Keller, who was interest- 
ed in the congregation at its very beginning and whose 
descendants figured prominently throughout its entire 
history. The third church was also a stone structure 
erected in 1841. Up to this time, a period of almost a 
hundred years, the church was exclusive Luth- 
eran property. But at the time of the erec- 
tion of the third bui'lding the German Reformed be- 
came joint owners of the church. In 1894 this bui 1 d- 
ing was removed and the present edifice erected. 

The first pastor of this congregation of whom there 
is any record was Lucas Raus. He was a native born 
German and came to America in 1749, serving as an 
assistant to Brunholtz and Muhlenberg for some time. 
In 1751, according to his statement in the church rec- 
ord, he came "to take charge of the vacant congrega- 
tion at the Tohickon," indicating that the congrega- 
tion was in existence prior to that time. He preached 
his introductory sermon on July 7, 1751. In the same 
year he began the church record, which is still in a 
good state of preservation. It is impossible to deter- 
mine the exact date when he relinquished the work, 
but it seems to have been shortly before, or directly 
after his marriage, August 7, 1753. 

Who the immediate successor of Raus was, is un- 
known, but in 1757 Wilhelm Kurtz, renowned for his 
scholarly attainments, took charge of the work and 
remained until 1758. Conrad Daniel Wa'lther, the suc- 
cessor to Kurtz, arrived in 1760 and departed in 1761. 
He was followed by Otto Hasse, who served from 



94 JUBILEE VOLUME 

1762 to 1764, and then by Johann Michael Enderline, 
who remained from 1766 to 1770. In 1774 we find a 
Swede by the name of Peter Friedrich Niemeyer in 
charge of the congregation. Here there is a break in 
the historical data until Anthony Hecht, a school 
teacher, appears in 1794. He died while pastor of the 
congregation, and was laid to rest within the chancel 
of his church, now a part of the old cemetery. 

August Heinrich Schmidt served from 1795 to 
1798, and he, too, is buried in the cemetery beside the 
church. About the year 1802 a man by the name of 
Tenno served. He was succeeded by Nicolaus Mensch, 
who served from 1806 to 1823. Immediately after 
him, in 1823, came H. S. Miller, who at the time of 
his death had spent sixty-four years in the ministry. 
From 1838 to 1841 Rev. C. F. Welden, D.D., one of 
the founders of the General Council, performed effi- 
cient service in the congregation. 

He was followed by one who still lives in the mem- 
ory of quite a few of the members of the congrega- 
tion, namely, Rev. William B. Kaemmerer, who 
served from 1842 to 1860. E. H. M. Sell served from 
1862 to 1863, and Leonard Groh from 1863 to 1864. 
In 1865 Rev. R. B. Kistler took charge of the con- 
gregation and served it faithfully until 1870. Rev. G. 
M. Lazarus, the next pastor, began his labors on the 
first Sunday in January, 1871. In 1870 this congrega- 
tion, together with St. Paul's, Applebachsville, and St. 
John's, Quakertown, were constituted a parish. He 
served this congregation faithfully until his tragic 
death on January 31, 1874. He was on his way to 
officiate at a funeral at Keller's Church, when his 



norristown conference 95 

horse, becoming frightened, ran away and hurled him 
to his death. 

During the same year, 1874, Rev. J. F. Ohl was 
called to become the pastor. During his pastorate the 
congregation showed signs of life and activity in 
every direction. The organ that had done service 
since 1792 was replaced by the present one, which 
was dedicated October 29, 1876. The new cemetery, 
started in 1874, was incorporated in 1884. In 1889 
the congregation was also incorporated. He served 
until 1893. During the pastorate of his immediate 
successor, Rev. G. C. Gardner, the present church 
building was erected. In 1895 he resigned as 
pastor in order to serve St. John's, Quakentown, ex- 
clusively, which at this time became a separate parish. 
The organization of the Sunday-school is another 
fruit of his work. 

Rev. Warren Nickel supplied the congregation 
while a student at the Theological Seminary until his 
ordination in June, 1897, when he became the regular 
pastor. Through his efforts a Young People's Asso- 
ciation was organized, through which I. F. Franken- 
field and E. V. Nonnemacher were influenced to enter 
the ministry. After serving for almost twelve years, he 
brought his pastorate to a close on August 15, 1908. 
Rev. N. Y. Ritter was his immediate successor, and 
served the congregation effectively from January 1, 
1909, to December, 1914. During this pastorate the 
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was 
organized. After a lapse of over a year the present 
pastor, Rev. Rufus E. Kern, was called, who took 
charge of the congregation on the first of March, 



96 JUBILEE VOLUME 

1916. At present the church edifice is undergoing ex- 
tensive alterations, and is being renovated both on the 
exterior and in the interior. 



TRINITY, LANSDALE 



THE first steps towards gathering a Lutheran con- 
gregation at Lansdale were taken at the meet- 
ing of the First District Conference, January 10, 1881, 
when the Revs. Geo. D. Foust and James L. Becker 
were appointed a committee "to go to Lansdale to 
gather a congregation, if possible, and to supply the 
same with Word and Sacrament." This committee 
visited Lansdale May 17, and, after consultation with 
a number of Lutherans interested in the movement, 
made arrangements to hold services in Lansdale 
(Freed's) Ha'll. The first service was held May 29, 
at 3 P. M., Rev. Becker conducting the service and 
Rev. Foust preaching the sermon. The next service 
was held June 5, at 7.30 P. M., and from this date ser- 
vices were held every other Sunday at 3 P. M., Revs. 
Foust and Becker alternating. 

On July 16, 1882, the congregation was organized 
by adopting the constitution recommended by the Gen- 
eral Council, under the name, ''Trinity Evangelical 
Lutheran Congregation, Lansdale, Montgomery 
County, Pennsylvania." The first Church Council, 
elected August 22, was installed by the Rev. Foust 
September 10. The congregation was received into 
connection with the Ministerium of Pennsylvania at 
the meeting of the First District Conference held at 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 97 

Bridgetown (South Perkasie), September 11, 1882. 
Continuing to hold its services in the above-named 
hall, the congregation, in the course of several years, 
came to realize that its success called for a more suit- 
able place of worship, — a home of its own, if possible. 
A committee was appointed to make a survey of the 
town with the view of finding available locations for 
a church. This committee reported, among other 
places, that the school property on East Main Street 
was for sale, and recommended its purchase. This 
property, fronting on Main street, 160 feet by 180 feet 
deep, with a two-story school house 40 by 26 feet, was 
purchased September 16, for the sum of $3,055. This 
school-house, after needful alterations and repairs, 
was consecrated and set apart as a house of worship 
on June 5, 1887. The Rev. D. K. Kepner, president 
of the First District Conference, preached at 10 A. M. 
in English, and the Revs. Foust and Becker perform- 
ed the act of consecration. The Rev. J. S. Renninger 
preached in German at 2 P. M., and the Rev. O. P. 
Smith, at 7.30 P. M. in English. 

On December 1, 1886, the charter prepared for con- 
gregations by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, to- 
gether with its former constitution as revised to con- 
form with said charter, were adopted. 

In January, 1888, the congregation presented a peti- 
tion to Conference asking for more frequent services 
than could be given them under existing conditions, 
and for a regular pastor, if posible. A committee of 
Conference, to whom the matter was referred, ad- 
vised that Christ Church, Towamencin, be requested 
to unite with Trinity, Lansdale. Both congregations, 



98 JUBILEE VOLUME 

at regularly called meetings, accepted the proposition 
and their action was confirmed by Conference Sep- 
tember 3, thus forming the new Lansdale Parish. The 
pastor of the Sellersville parish, of which Christ, 
Towamencin, was a part, having received a call from 
Trinity, Lansdale, now resigned St. Michael's, Sel- 
lersville, and Ridge Valley congregations, and on 
October 16, accepted the said call, thus becoming the 
pastor of the Lansdale parish. 

On March 6, 1890, it was resolved to erect a new 
church during the current year. Plans were adopted 
for a building 40x65 feet, with corner tower. Ground 
was broken April 21. The cornerstone was laid by 
the pastor July 6, the Rev. F. Berkemeyer preaching 
in German and the Rev. H. Peters in English. Other 
pastors participating were : Revs. R. B. Lynch, D. L. 
Coleman and J. H. Waidelich, the latter preaching at 
the evening service. The new church was conse- 
crated on Laetare Sunday, March 8, 1891. The pastor 
performed the act of consecration, the Revs. O. F. 
Waage and O. P. Smith preaching the sermons — the 
former in German and the latter in English. Further 
services were held in the afternoon and evening and 
on the succeeding Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs- 
day evenings, the following pastors participating : J. LI. 
Waidelich, J. N. C. Park, D. H. Reiter, J. L. Sibole, 
W. A. Schaeffer, D.D., J. Q. Upp and E. Smith. 

In October, 1895, an unknown donor sent the con- 
gregation the sum of $55, with the statement that it is 
"to be used for church, bell or music." It was resolved 
to gather additional funds and to use the same for a 
bell. The bell was secured and installed during the 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 99 

winter and consecrated March 12, 1896. The Rev. T. 
L. Seip, D.D., president of the Ministerium, preached 
the sermon. 

On April 13, 1911, it was decided to build an addi- 
tion to the church and to procure a pipe organ. An ex- 
tension of twelve feet to the rear of the 'building was 
completed in time to re-open in the early Fall. The 
contract for a two-manual pipe organ was awarded 
December 11, 1911, to Bates & Cully for $2,275. The 
organ was installed during the month of March and 
consecrated April 21, 1912. The Rev. E. T. Horn, 
D.D., LL.D., president of Synod, preached the ser- 
mon and assisted the pastor in the service of conse- 
cration. The Rev. C. C. Snyder, president of Confer- 
ence, preached in the evening. Further services were 
held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, the following 
pastors participating : Revs. C. G. Beck. Warren 
Nickel, D. H. Reiter, J. H. Waidelich, C. W. Jeff- 
eris, F. M. Urich, P. A. Laury and N. Y. Ritter. The 
latest improvement was made in the summer of 1912, 
when the interior of the church was repainted and the 
walls beautifully frescoed. 

After the congregation had secured its own. church 
home in 1887 it organized a Sunday-school by electing 
officers and teachers to conduct the same. The liter- 
ature of the Church has been used from the beginning 
and the school has been very helpful in building up 
the congregation along churchly lines. At present it 
numbers about 300 scholars and 33 officers and 
teachers. 

A Missionary Society was organized on May 11, 
1890. Its aim is to awaken and foster an interest in the 



100 JUBILEE VOLUME 

various departments of the work of the Church and to 
give material aid to the congregation and to objects of 
benevolence. The society is connected with the Lu- 
ther League. 

A Woman's (Dorcas) Society was organized No- 
vember 11, 1895. This society is active in promoting 
the interests of the congregation and through the in- 
fluence of the Conference Mission Society, with which 
it is connected, its efforts are being directed more and 
more to the wider sphere of church activity. 

In the spring of 1902 it was decided to re-model the 
two-story building on the ground, changing the same 
into a commodious dwelling house. The alterations 
were completed during the following winter and the 
building has been occupied as a parsonage since June, 
1903. 



ST. JAMES', LIMERICK 



WHILE the standards of right and truth are eter- 
nally fixed by the immutable Word of God, 
nevertheless the moral deductions which men have 
made therefrom vary with the ages in which they 
have lived, so that what may be regarded in one age 
as legitimate and proper, is often condemned and cen- 
sured by succeeding generations. This fact we find 
illustrated in the history of St. James' Union Church 
of Limerick, for to it belongs the unenviable distinc- 
tion of having its inception in what today, to say the 
least, would be regarded of doubtful morality — a lot- 
tery, although that method of raising money was by 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 101 

no means uncommon, even for churches, a century 
ago. 

About the year 1807 the residents of Limerick 
Township, desiring to have a house of worship in their 
midst, petitioned the Legislature for the privilege of 
conducting a lottery to raise $2,000 for the building of 
a union church for the Lutherans, Reformed and 
Episcopalians. A charter for that purpose was grant- 
ed February 16, 1808, and eight commissioners were 
appointed. It was not until the winter of 1812 and 
1813 that the matter was pushed, although the printed 
tickets, some of which are still extant, are dated Lim- 
erick, January 24, 1810. and bear the signature of 
John Barlow, who was one of the commissioners- In 
the memorandum of agreement with the master 
mason, Philip Dewald, dated May 26, 1817, and Avhich 
is still preserved, the names of Matthew Brooks, 
Owen Evans, James Evans, Isaac Markley and James 
B. Harris appear, as the surviving commissioners, 
while John Barlow signs as a witness. The tickets for 
this lottery sold for $2 apiece, and in the financial 
statement of John Barlow to the treasurer of the 
church, dated September 3, 1813, $1,396 is given as 
the amount realized by the transaction, of which sum 
$903.44 was paid to the treasurer at that time, leav- 
ing a balance due the church of $492.56. Various 
small sums were paid, so that two years later we find 
this entry: "November 30, 1815. Balance due, 
$426.16." A supplementary statement made April 19, 
1821, shows that John Barlow paid $20.80 prize money 
on six tickets after the commission had been deduct- 
ed, and takes credit for $371.49 for work done for the 



102 JUBILEE VOLUME 

church, leaving a balance due the church of $33.87. 
When this small balance was settled it is impossible to 
say, as the record thereof has not been preserved. 

From the original financial statement a copy of two 
items is herewith given, as they may be of interest : 

"By 27 tickets delivered to treasurer for the use of 
the church, $54.00. 

"By 86 tickets drawn at the risk of the church, 
$172.00." 

In Bean's History of Montgomery County, Win. J. 
Buck states that the cornerstone was laid April 17, 
1817, but the memorandum of agreement referred to 
above, and drawn up a month and nine days after the 
above date, contains this statement : "The said Day- 
wait will build, put up in a good and workmanlike 
manner the stone, or mason work, of the said church 
at the place and time that the said commissioners may 
agree on." Farther on in the same document he "en- 
gages to commence the said work immediately 
and that the first work he commences after the ensu- 
ing harvest, provided if it is possible for the said 
commissioners to get the material ready for the 
same." The foregoing statements seem to indicate 
that the cornerstone must have been laid on a later 
date, although the writer has no documentary evidence 
as to when it took place. The same history states that 
it was consecrated in 1818, whereas the first entry in 
the first record of the congregation is : "Union church 
was consecrated on Whitsunday, 1&19." 

Two congregations were formed, a Lutheran and a 
Reformed. The Episcopalians made no further use 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 103 

of their rights than perhaps to hold an occasional ser- 
vice. 

It has been commonly accepted that Rev. Henry A. 
Geissenhainer was the first pastor and served from 
1818-1821, whereas the church record states that the 
first regularly called minister was Frederick W. Geis- 
senhainer, Sr., D.D. Unfortunately no date is given, 
but it must have been about the time of the consecra- 
tion, or at least shortly thereafter, for he records his 
first ministerial act, a baptism, on September 30, 1819. 
His pastorate closed in April, 1823. when he accepted 
a call to Xew York. 

His successors were his son. Frederick W. Geissen- 
hainer, Jr., D.D., who was pastor from March 30, 
1823. to March, 1827 ; Rev. Jacob Wampole, from 
July. 1827, to April. 1834; Rev. John W. Richards. 
D.D., from May, 1834, to April." 1836; Rev. Jacob 
Wampole again, from April, 1836, to his death on 
January 3, 1838 ; Rev. Henry S. Miller, from April, 
1838. to May 30. 1852 ; Rev. George F. Miller, from 
1852 to March 31, 1861 : Rev. George Sill, from 1862 
to October 1. 1863; Rev. John Kohler. D.D., from 
January 1, 1864, to September 27, 1873; Rev. Oliver 
P. Smith, D.D.. from June. 1874, to May 1, 1889; and 
Rev. Xelson F. Schmidt, from May 1, 1889. to the 
present, making this last pastorate the longest in the 
history of the congregation. 

Twice during the history of the congregation the 
German and English portions parted company, each 
electing its own pastor. The first separation occurred 
1823, when the German members elected the Rev. 
Jacob Miller, who served until 1829. He was follow- 



104 JUBILEE VOLUME 

ed by the Rev. Conrad Miller, from 1829 to 1837. The 
divided portions united in electing the Rev. Henry S. 
Miller and remained together until the resignation of 
Rev. George F. Miller, in March, 1861. After an in- 
terim of one year Rev. George F. Miller was re- 
elected pastor of the German congregation only, on 
March 7, 1862, and served in that capacity until Sep- 
tember 29, 1872, as the records of the church clearly 
show. Thus it will be observed that for almost fifty 
years the German congregation was served by four 
pastors, each bearing the surname Miller. It may 
also be of interest to note that the minute book of the 
German congregation, bearing date of March 28, 1863, 
contains the following: "Resolved, by the vestry of 
said congregation that the pastor of said congregation 
be requested to preach every other time in the Eng- 
lish language, if he has a right to do so." 

After the resignation of Rev. G. F. Miller, the Ger- 
man vestry engaged Rev. Carl Koerner to preach for 
them until arrangements could be made for a regular 
pastor. On October 18, 1873, a consolidation of the 
German and English vestries was effected and articles 
of agreement drawn up. The united congregation 
elected Oliver P. Smith, while still a student at the 
Philadelphia Theological Seminary, in February or 
the early part of March of 1874, on the basis of equal- 
services for both portions of the congregation. Just 
when the equal division of services gave way to a 
larger number of English ones it is impossible at this 
time to state, but the present pastorate opened in 
May, 1889, with two English services to one in Ger- 
man. The last German service was held on Decern- 




ST. JAMES', UMERICK 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 105 

ber 27, 1908. The question has often been raised : 
When were English services first introduced? It has 
been variously answered, but we unhesitatingly reply : 
From the beginning, simultaneously with the German, 
for the first record book has this inscribed on the fly- 
leaf : "Records of the Evangelical Lutheran EngHsh 
and German Congregations of the Union Church in 
the Township of Limerick, in the County of Mont- 
gomery, in the State of Pennsylvania." 

The church erected in 1817 was torn down in 1875 
and the erection of the new stone church begun in the 
fall of the same year. It was consecrated in the fall 
of the following year. In the summer of 1898 the 
church was renovated and the pipe organ, which had 
been on the gallery, was brought down and placed to 
the left of the pastor, as he occupies the pulpit. Dur- 
ing the year 1904 arrangements were made to replace 
the old organ with a new two-manual pipe organ, con- 
taining fifteen full speaking stops and which cost $1,- 
600. At the same time the pulpit and chancel arrange- 
ment was entirely changed. The old high pulpit in 
the centre, with steps leading up on either side, and a 
stand doing service as an altar, beneath and in front of 
the pulpit, and a reading desk to the pastor's left, 
gave place to an enlarged chancel containing a pulpit 
platform with steps in the centre. In the rear of this 
platform was placed a large and magnificent altar, 
over which is a finely executed oil painting of Christ 
in Gethsemane. To the right, facing the congregation, 
is a new pulpit, while the reading desk is to the left. 
The consecration took place on November 6, 1904. 
The church was further renovated during the fall of 



106 JUBILEE VOLUME 

1910 by the installation of a steam heating plant, new 
pews and carpet, while the Sunday-school room was 
equipped with new matting and chairs. It was re-con- 
secrated on January 15, 1911. In December, 1916, 
new stained glass windows were added to beautify the 
building, every window being a memorial. As a result 
St. James' of Limerick is a most churchly and attrac- 
tive edifice. 

In 1840 a Union Sunday-school was organized, 
wherein the children of the Lutheran and the Re- 
formed congregations were instructed in God's Word 
for upwards of forty years, when in the judgment 
of Rev. O. P. Smith the time had come to organize a 
distinctively Lutheran Sunday-school with Lutheran 
literature. Each congregation has had its own Sun- 
day-school ever since. 

A Woman's Missionary Society was organized 
about a dozen years ago, which has enlisted the inter- 
est and co-operation of a very substantial part of the 
female membership of the congregation. It has created 
an unprecedented interest in the cause of missions and 
has added materially to the benevolent contribution of 
the church. Its affairs have been administered by wo- 
men who are alive and awake to the needs of the 
Church and who realize the responsibility of the indi- 
vidual as well as of the individual congregation to the 
Master's cause. 

Just about one year ago the young folks and chil- 
dren were organized into a Junior Missionary Society, 
in which they are taught the necessity, needs and con- 
ditions of our Church's missionary enterprises. Under 
its judicious and efficient management an interest is 



XORRISTOWX CONFERENCE 107 

being engendered in their tender hearts which we are 
confident time will never be able to remove. On the 
other hand we trust that the passing years may only 
add to their zeal. 

Thus in these two organizations the wholesome 
leaven of a missionary activity and zeal for the exten- 
sion of the kingdom of God has been hid in the meal 
of congregational life, and we are only trusting in the 
divine promise when we assert our confidence that it 
will not cease to work until the whole lump has been 
leavened. 

Three years ago the male members of the Sunday- 
school formed a Young Men's Club, to which only 
young men identified with the Sunday-school were 
eligible. From the outstart it proved a source of in- 
spiration both tc the Sunday-school and congregation, 
and a stimulus to greater zeal along every line of con- 
gregational activity. The first catechetical class that 
was conducted after its organization was the banner 
class, so far as members are concerned, of the present 
pastorate, which at that time had already passed the 
quarter of a century mark. The great majority of the 
male members thereof came from the Young: Men's 
Club. 

While St. James' is a distinctively rural congrega- 
tion, confronted with all the conditions and problems 
that perplex the country parish, it has not only main- 
tained its own, but has grown more healthful and vig- 
orous in body, and stronger in its spiritual life and 
activities. 



CHRIST, (lower tinicum) TINICUM 



THE congregation at Lower Tinicum, known as 
Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church, is his- 
toric, its origin dating back to Colonial times. While 
the records of these early days are almost devoid of 
historical data, they do give a list of baptisms, com- 
municants and catechumens, the earliest baptism being 
dated 1747. Without a doubt some of the earliest 
pioneers of Lutheranism conducted worship for this 
congregation in its formative period. It is commonly 
reported that the Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg on his travels 
preached to the Germans settled at the mouth of the 
Tinicum creek on the Delaware, and that this group 
later became the first members of the congregation. 

The records show that the first pastor was Rev. 
John Michael Enderlein, who preached here from 1766 
to 1769. The organization of the congregation, how- 
ever, did not take place until 1769, when Rev. August 
Herman Schmitt became pastor, and he labored here 
until 1774. The first house of worship was a log 
church, built back about one quarter mile from the 
later site, on a hill. There is no record as to when 
this log church was built or how long it was used, but 
according to the tombstones found in the graveyard it 
must have been used from about 1759 until about 
1808. The graveyard alone remains. 

In this log church, beside the pastors already men- 
tioned, the following served : Revs. Sannam, 1774 to 
1789; Peter Ahl, 1789 to 1797; John Conrad Yeager, 
1797 to 1801 ; Cramer, 1801 to 1803 ; John Nicholas 

108 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 109 

Mensch, 1803 to 1823. It was undoubtedly during the 
pastorate of Rev. Mensch that the second church was 
built, and though the date is somewhat uncertain, it 
must have been about 1808. It was built on the road 
from Pipersville to Frenchtown, about three miles 
from Pipersville. 

The following pastors served the Lutherans in this 
union church, of which the Presbyterians were also 
joint owners: Revs. Henry S. Miller, 1823 to 1838; 
C. F. Welden, 1838 to 1842; C. P. Miller, 1842 to 
1865. It was toward the close of this pastorate in 
1861 that the third church, known in the community 
as the Brick church, was built and dedicated, costing 
$13,000. This was owned and used by the Lutherans 
and Reformed until July 2, 1907, when it was struck 
by lightning and destroyed by fire. 

The pastors who served in this third church after 
Rev. C. P. Miller were Revs. W. S. Emery, 1865 to 
1883; J. W. Mayne, 1884 to 1888; R. B. Lynch, 1888 
to 1903 ; C. C. Snyder, 1903 to 1912. 

From 1842 until the latter part of the pastorate of 
Rev. W. S. Emery this congregation was a part of the 
parish consisting of three or more other congregations, 
some of which were Nockamixon, Springfield and 
Durham. About 1878 Rev. Emery served Christ's, 
Tinicum, as a separate parish ; but later, in 1884, it 
was joined to St. Luke's, Dublin, and this parish be- 
came the Lower Tinicum parish of the First District 
Conference. 

After the third, or Brick Church, was destroyed by 
fire in 1907, the congregation decided to build its own 
church. The old site was sold to the Reformed and a 



110 JUBILEE VOLUME 

new site was purchased about one quarter mile distant 
at Tinicum. Ground for the new church was broken 
on April 2, 1908, the cornerstone was laid on May 17, 

1908, and the consecration took place on November 
22, 1908. A debt of only $7,400 remained on the 
church that cost $30,000, and two years later, on 
Thanksgiving Day, this was all paid. On June 12. 

1909, a fine new memorial pipe organ was presented 
and dedicated. 

After the pastorate of Rev. C. C. Snyder, during 
which the new church was built, the Rev. W. A. 
Fluck, the present pastor, took up the work on Janu- 
ary 1, 1913. 

A Women's Missionary Society was organized in 
the winter of 1898, and has since been the greatest 
missionary factor in the life of the congregation. 

The Sunday-school up to the building of the present 
church had always been union, but upon entering the 
new church in 1908 it became a distinctly Lutheran 
organization. 

A Luther League was organized in May, 1909, and 
is still faithfully ait work. 

From time to time mission study and teacher train- 
ing classes are conducted, while for the last ten years 
there has always been one or more Junior Mission 
Bands at work. 

In September, 1916, it was decided to build a par- 
sonage alongside the church ; this is now in course of 
construction, with over half the cost subscribed. 

The present membership of the congregation is 345. 





Rev. Jacob NEEF 




Rev. Geo. D. Foust 



Rev. G. M. I^azarus 



GRACE, NORRISTOWN 



THE first active effort to establish a Lutheran 
church in the western part of N'orristown was 
made in the month of April, 1884, when Mr. Henry 
Lehman, a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, purchased a lot at the corner of George and 
Marshall Streets, and held it for a future congrega- 
tion to be organized. He also interested himself in ob- 
taining aid from the Ministerium of Pennsylvania for 
the proposed mission and secured an appropriation of 
$200 per year toward the support of a pastor. 

On January 14, 1885, the Church Council of Trin- 
ity Church 'took an important step forward in appoint- 
ing a committee, consisting of Henry Lehman, Geo. 
W. March and G. F. Neiman, to ascertain whether 
and where a suitable place could be acquired for the 
location of the mission, and to learn the possibility of 
obtaining a suitable pastor to take charge of it. This 
committee was to report as soon as possible. 

On February 12, 1885, this committee reported that 
they had secured the use of the Chain Street school 
building at a rental of six dollars per month. A short 
time later they communicated with Rev. Robert D. 
Roeder, then a student of theology, and on March 22, 
1885, called him on behalf of the Church Council to 
organize the new congregation. In April, 1885, the 
committee reported that Mr. Roeder had accepted the 
call and would assume charge of the work immedi- 
ately after his ordination. 

The first service of what later became Grace Evan- 
Ill 



112 JUBILEE VOLUME 

gelieal Lutheran Church was held in the Chain Street 
school building on Sunday morning", June 7, 1885, the 
Rev. Robert D. Roeder conducting the service and 
preaching the sermon. The full liturgy of the Luth- 
eran Church was used and the occasion proved a suc- 
cess in every sense of the word. The interest and at- 
tendance showed that a large and promising field was 
ready for development. 

In the afternoon at 2 o'clock a Sunday-school was 
organized with the pastor as superintendent. Fifty- 
seven persons were enrolled at this service. The rapid 
augmentation of this number on subsequent Sundays 
quickly demonstrated the necessity of this organiza- 
tion. 

The formal organization of the congregation was 
effected June 17, 1885, when thirty-five persons met at 
the residence of Mr. Geo. W. March and formed 
themselves into a congregation, unanimously adopting 
the name of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

The Sunday-school Association was organized one 
week later, with fifteen members. 

The final adoption of the constitution and the selec- 
tion of a Church Council took place at a congrega- 
tional meeting, held on July 8th of the same year. The 
first Church Council was composed of : Elders, Dr. B. 
K. Johnson, Ephraim B. Bickel, Josiah Christman and 
John B. Bickel; deacons, Wm. G. Wright, John R. 
Hunsicker, G. F. Neiman, A. H. March, Joseph L. 
Kindy and S. W. Snyder. These men were formally 
installed Sunday, July 12, 1885. 

On Sunday evening, August 30, 1885, Rev. Roeder 
was formally installed as pastor by the Rev. D. K. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 113 

Kepner. president of Conference, and the Rev. A. J. 
"Weddell. pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Norris- 
town. 

The congregation was received into synodieal con- 
nection at the fall meeting of Conference held at 
Doylestown. Pa., September 14-15, 1885. A charter 
was granted by the courts in October. 

At a congregational meeting held on January 13, 
1886, in the Chain Street school-house, it was decided 
to erect a stone chapel 45 by 70 feet, at the corner ot 
George Street and Blackberry Alley, being the rear of 
the plot of ground secured by Mr. Henry Lehman and 
deeded to the congregation in December, 1885, for the 
sum of $4,380.33. 

The cornerstone of the new church building was 
laid with appropriate ceremonies on April 18, 1886, 
and on September 5th the building was dedicated to 
the service of God. The cost of building and furnish- 
ings aggregated almost $6,400. 

On April 1. 1892, the congregation, having pros- 
pered financially and numerically, by its own decision 
became self-supporting. 

In August, 1895. the debt having been removed 
soon after its inception, a building fund was started, 
when Mrs. Henry Lehman gave $300 to the congrega- 
tion to be devoted to the building of a new church. 

On February 21, 1904, after a faithful and success- 
ful pastorate of 19 years. Rev. Roeder resigned his 
office and accepted a call to Butler, Pa. Rev. Geo. A. 
Kercher was unanimously called to fill the vacancy. 
He accepted the call and entered upon his work Au- 



114 JUBILEE VOLUME 

gust 2, 1904. He was installed by the Rev. J. J. Kline, 
Ph.D., president of Conference, October 2, 1904. 

During the opening months of the ensuing year a 
number of improvements were made to the church 
building. Electric lights replaced the gas, new stain- 
ed glass windows were inserted, and a new pipe organ 
was installed. These improvements were used for the 
first time at the anniversary service held on the first 
Sunday in June. 

For some time it had been felt that the chapel was 
too small for the congregation's needs and that either 
a new building must be erected, or the old one must be 
enlarged. Accordingly, when the Schwenkfeldian con- 
gregation, which was worshipping in the Chain Street 
school-house and was looking for a permanent place 
of worship, offered to purchase it, the congregation 
decided, at a meeting held May 31, 1905, to accept the 
offer. At this time it was also decided to dispose of 
the congregation's lots at the corner of Marshall and 
George streets. The amount received for the church 
and lots was $15,500. lit was further decided at this 
meeting to purchase ground on Haws Avenue for a 
new church building. This was done at a cost of $10,- 
858. The Church Council was instructed to secure 
plans for the proposed structure. These plans were 
presented to the congregation on July 27th and were 
adopted. Ground for the new building was broken 
the very next day. The cornerstone was laid on bun- 
day afternoon, September 10, 1905, by the pastor, in 
the presence of a large congregation, the Rev. P. A. 
Laury, president of Conference, delivering the ad- 
dress. 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 115 

On September 2, 1906, k was formally dedicated to 
the worship of Almighty God, the addresses being de- 
livered by the Rev. R. D. Roeder, of Butler, Pa., and 
the Rev. I. Chantry Hoffman, of Philadelphia. The 
building, which is constructed along modified gothic 
lines, is an imposing brownstone structure 110 feet 
long by 54 feet wide. Tt contains within its walls a 
church auditorium with a seating capacity of ever 500 
and a Sunday-school room with a seating capacity of 
almost 1,000. The interior of the church, with its 
pale green walls and vaulted ceiling, its chestnut 
woodwork, and its handsome chancel furnishings, is 
exceedingly churchly and beautiful. The Sunday- 
school room also is very agreeable to the eye and is 
admirably adapted to Sunday-school purposes. The 
approximate cost of its erection was $44,000. 

Despite the heavy debt which this building in- 
curred, the congregation did not suffer or stand still. 
Instead everyone worked harder and not only was the 
debt substantially reduced from year to year, but the 
congregation increased in membership and influence. 

On March 3, 1915, after a fruitful pastorate of 11 
years, Rev. Kercher resigned his office and on May 
30th preached his last sermon. On the 10th of Octo- 
ber the Rev. A. Charles R. Keiter, pastor of Hoi}' 
Trinity Lutheran Church, Wildwood, N. J., was 
unanimously called to be his successor. Rev. Keiter 
took charge of the field November 15, 1915. He was 
installed December 12, 1915, by the Rev. Warren 
Nickel, president of Conference, Rev. Nickel deliver- 
ing the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. W. D. C. 



116 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Keiter, D.D., delivering the charge to the congrega- 
tion. 

The six months which followed were marked by 
large accessions to the church and Sunday-school. In- 
deed, the latter were so great that at a congregational 
meeting held June 19, 1916, it was unanimously de- 
cided to build an addition to the Sunday-school build- 
ing, 52 feet long by 30 feet wide, to take care of the 
rapidly growing infant department. It was also de- 
cided at this time to renovate the basement and equip 
it more completely to take care of the social life of the 
congregation. 

At the time when this sketch was written these re- 
pairs and improvements were still under way. When 
they are finished the congregation will have one of the 
finest and most efficient church plants in the Confer- 
ence. Needless to say, with this splendid church build- 
ing and an interested active congregation, the outlook 
for the future of the Lutheran Church in the western 
part of Norristown is full of promise and encourage- 
ment. 



TRINITY, NORRISTOWN 



THE first Lutheran service in Norristown was held 
September 13, 1835, the Rev. C. W. Schaeffer, 
of Germantown, being in charge. The attendance was 
gratifying, but a later canvass by Pastor Schaeffer 
proved so discouraging that, to use his own words, "I 
had to let the matter drop." 

Ten years later the Rev. William Rally held ser- 
vices for a time in the German language, but he suf- 
fered an attack of smallpox, and his work was inter- 
rupted, never to be resumed. 

After another interval of three years, in 1848, the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania appointed Rev. A. T. 
Geissenhainer missionary to Norristown. He assumed 
office July 11. An organization was effected in Sep- 
tember of the same year, and subscriptions secured 
for a church building, when the project met shipwreck 
owing to the demand by a certain element that the 
morning service should invariably be in German. 

With a loyal remnant the missionary then secured 
part of the site of the present church building and a 
small stone structure was erected. Shortly after the 
laying of the cornerstone the missionary resigned and 
was succeeded by Rev. R. S. W. Wagner. Under the 
latter's pastorate the church was dedicated in 1849. 
The cornerstone has been preserved in the foundation 
of the present building. At the first communion, held 
on succeeding Sundays in the German and English 
languages, twelve persons communed at the German 
and sixteen at the English service. 

117 



118 



JUBILEE VOLUME 



From this time on, for quite a period, the records 
show a list of painfully brief pastorates. Not until 
1859 is there a pastor and pastorate of note. In that 
year the Rev. Charles A. Baer became pastor, and un- 
der his care the congregation assumed new life in all 
its departments. The church building soon became 
inadequate and was torn down to make room for a 
larger structure. This work was interrupted in 1862 
by the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania, and the 
consequent enlistment of nearly every male member of 
the congregation in response to the call to arms. 

In 1863, however, the work was resumed. But un- 
fortunately, before the building was completed, the be- 
loved pastor sickened of a fever, presumably contract- 
ed during a visit to the battlefield of Gettysburg, and 
died on September 9th of that year. A large marble 
memorial tablet in the present church commemorates 
the life and activities of this devoted pastor. 

His successor, the Rev. Christopher Knauff, labor- 
ed for seven months and then lapsed to the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. 

Then came the Rev. H. L. Baugher, and the new 
church, which is the present church, was dedicated in 
1864. Lutheran vestments were introduced, the use of 
the service begun, the first pipe organ secured, and 
much done to make the congregation distinctively Lu- 
theran. 

In 1868 the Rev. A. J. Weddell began a pastorate 
which has been the longest in the history of the con- 
gregation, lasting nearly twenty years. A man of great 
piety and spiritual strength, he did much to firmly es- 
tablish the congregation in Lutheran faith and prac- 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 119 

tice, and became one of Norristown's most highly re- 
spected citizens. In 1887 he was made pastor emer- 
itus, in which relation to the congregation he con- 
tinued until his death in 1896. 

He was succeeded in the active pastorate by the 
Rev. Hiram Peters in 1888, who continued in that 
office until 1893, and who did much to continue the 
good work of his honored predecessor. 

In 1894 the Rev. Andrew S. Fichthorn was called to 
the pastorate. In 1895 the church was renovated nnd 
beautified at a cost of nearly $14,000. With very little 
change the interior is to this day as it then left the 
hands of the workmen. Pastor Fichthorn labored as- 
sidiously in his office and under his leadership the con- 
gregation made great forward strides. He was par- 
ticularly interested in the work of Foreign Missions, 
and when there came to him a call to active labor in 
India, he felt that it was a call that could not be de- 
nied, and in 1902 resigned the pastorate. 

He was followed in the same year by the Rev. E. P. 
H. Pfatteicher, a particularly earnest and aggressive 
pastor. His pastorate is especially noted for his work 
among the young people and the upbuilding of the 
Sunday-school. To the general regret of his people, 
he resigned in 1907 to accept a call to the Church of 
the Holy Communion in Philadelphia. 

In the same year Pastor Fichthorn was greatly hon- 
ored by being recalled by the congregation. With un- 
diminished zeal he labored until his death, January 
29, 1912. A beautiful Tiffany mosaic, in the apse of 
the church is his visible memorial. 



% 



120 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Iii October of the same year the Rev. Aden B. Mac- 
intosh assumed charge. Shortly after his coming it 
was decided to raze the parsonage, standing south of 
the church, and on its site to rear a modern Sunday- 
school building to be known as the Parish House. This 
beautiful building was dedicated in 1914, and harmon- 
izes architecturally with the church, whose facade was 
renewed and somewhat changed. The Parish House 
cost approximately $30,000. A lot adjoining the 
church property on the north has been secured, and at 
the present writing there is being erected thereon a 
commodious parsonage, at a cost of $11,000, which 
will harmonize with, and be connected with, the other 
buildings ; and this will complete a plant than which 
there is none better or more beautiful in Norristown. 

In 1915 a new pipe organ with cathedral chimes was 
installed at a cost of $5,000. 

The congregation now numbers 739 communicant 
members. During the last year it contributed nearly 
$15,000 for current and special expenses, and $2,375 
for benevolence. 

In a brief sketch of this kind, space forbids the men- 
tion of the many noble men and women who so faith- 
fully assisted their pastors in the upbuilding of the 
congregation, but special mention must be made of 
Henry Lehman, who for fifty-two years was the hon- 
ored superintendent of the Sunday-school. The 
cause of the orphan was also dear to the heart 
of Mr. Lehman, and for the Home at Germantown he 
labored most earnestly. From its earliest history, ow- 
ing to his influence, the Sunday-school has liberally 
contributed to the support of the Home, and that his 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 121 

good work lives after him is evidenced by the fact that 
to this day the Sunday-school is by far the largest 
contributor to this cause in the entire Conference. 

In its new building, and with modern equipment the 
Sunday-school has enjoyed wonderful prosperity, and 
now numbers slightly over 800 members. Its organ- 
ized Bible classes are a great element of strength in its 
work. 

Other organizations are the Ladies' Guild, the Wo- 
men's Missionary Society, the Luther Union, the Lu- 
ther League and the vested choir. 

Trinity Church has been honored thrice by annual 
conventions of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania — in 
1875, 1883 and 1889. The General Council also held 
its annual convention here in 1903. 



ST. PETER'S, NORTH WALES 



THE year that witnessed the birth of our nation is 
said also to have witnessed the birth of our con- 
gregation. It cannot be definitely stated that our con- 
gregation was organized in 1776, but there is no rea- 
son to doubt the correctness of the date. One Philip 
Heist by name, a man of generous impulses, promised 
to sell for a small sum of money half an acre of land 
to the Lutheran and Reformed congregations upon 
which to erect a union church. The deed, which we 
have in our possession, was issued after the death of 
Philip Heist. It bears the date of June 10, 1780, and 
states that the church had already been erected. To 
accept the date of 1776 as the beginning of our con- 
gregation seems therefore reasonable. 



122 JUBILEE VOLUME 

The executors of Philip Heist were "Peter Heist, of 
Maryborough Township, in the County of Philadel- 
phia, in Pennsylvania, Wheelwright, and Jacob Miller, 
of Upper Hanover, in the county aforesaid, Yeoman." 
They did not hesitate to execute the deed, for they say 
"Philip Heist having in his life, knowingly and pub- 
licly, verbally promised to give and grant for a small 
consideration one-half an acre of his land of the lower 
corner at the great road for the use of a Dutch church 
and graveyard for the Dutch Lutheran and Reformed 
congregations, which lot accordingly was laid out, and 
a church thereon built for the said use, by his order 
and assistance, only a deed being neglected for the 
same in his life time." This plot of ground is now 
part of the Lutheran cemetery of North Wales. In a 
further description it is said to front on the "North 
Wales Great Road" in Gwynedd Township. The trus- 
tees of the church at this time were Jacob Smith, 
turner; Martin Raker, weaver; Nicholas Seltzer, yeo- 
man, and Bernhard Beaver, miller. The nominal price 
of ten shillings was paid. 

The first church building was probably a log struc- 
ture. During the pastorate of Rev. Weiand, which 
extended from 1811 to 1826, the famous Old Yellow 
Church was erected. In official documents it is known 
as "St. Peter's Church in Gwynedd." The front wall 
of the church ran parallel with Main Street and was 
set in some 20 or 30 feet. The western wall was only 
four or five feet removed from the grave of the Rev. 
Jacob Van Buskirk. It was a large structure seating 
about 500 people. There were galleries on three sides, 
the one over the vestibule being used by the choir and 




12 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 123 

at one time supported a pipe organ. The high pulpit 
was reached by a narrow stairway and had its sound- 
ing-board. The building was a plain colonial struc- 
ture with no stained glass windows, steeple or any 
such thing. The small-paned windows were equipped 
with broad, heavy blinds having stationary slats. There 
were two rows of windows, two aisles, and two en- 
trance doors. It was a stone structure, the walls being 
stuccoed with a yellow plaster, hence the affectionate 
name, the Old Yellow Church. 

On April 13, 1870, at a congregational meeting, a 
communication was received from the Reformed 
brethren offering their share of the old church prop- 
erty for the sum of $300. The offer was accepted and 
the trustees instructed to make the purchase. In the 
minutes of the Church Council for February 8, 1871, 
appears this item : "On motion the trustees were in- 
structed to procure the release of the Reformed con- 
gregation to the old church property and then call a 
congregational meeting to dispose of the property." 

The next step our people took came to nothing, for 
at a Church Council meeting on June 1, 1871, it was 
resolved to appoint a committee of five to draw up 
specifications and receive sealed proposals for build- 
ing a parsonage and taking the old church as part pay- 
ment. Subsequently the noble edifice was offered for 
sale, but the bid or bids were not satisfactory. It was 
then torn down by the congregation and the material 
disposed of for building purposes. 

The Old Yellow Church is no more, but not a few 
people still see it standing there Avith their hearts and 
minds and still hear the kind voices of venerable pas- 



124 JUBILEE VOLUME 

tors. And the ground where it stood is still holy 
ground, for there and all around now sleep the dead. 

Our congregation having amicably separated from 
the Reformed, and having obtained a portion of the 
present favorably situated plot of ground, began the 
erection of a new church edifice. The cornerstone was 
laid by the Rev. P. M. Rightmyer, June 6, 1868. The 
usual articles were placed therein. The building com- 
mittee consisted of Messrs. Daniel Knipe, Joseph 
Moor and Harry F. Moyer. 

The day of dedication was also a great and glorious 
day. There was much rejoicing in the hearts of the 
Rev. E. L. Reed, the pastor, and all our people. "The 
new St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
North Wales, was consecrated to the worship of the 
Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, January 1, 
1870. The services, which were of more than ordi- 
nary interest, were participated in by a large con- 
course of people, while the pastor was assisted by the 
following ministers from abroad, namely, Revs. J. W. 
Hassler, J. B. Remensnyder, H. M. Bickle and George 
M. Lazarus. The first of these preached the dedi- 
catory sermon from Psalm 126:3, 'The Lord hath 
done great things for us, whereof we are glad.' The 
collection during the occasion amounted to $1,700." 

In 1892 the construction of the present commodious 
parsonage was undertaken. A bequest of $1,500 from 
Matthias Knipe spurred the congregation on in this 
good work. Through the foresightedness of Jacob 
W. Shearer, the lot had been bought when a parson- 
age was as much out of the question as it Was desir- 
able. 






NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 125 

During the year 1903-1904 the present church build- 
ing was re-modeled. A pipe organ was installed, the 
Sunday-school room enlarged, and other improve- 
ments made. This resulted in a chaste, well-appoint- 
ed and inviting house of worship. 

On the 16th of July, 1911, the cornerstone of the 
Parish House was laid. The addresses were deliver- 
ed by the Rev. Charles C. Snyder and the Rev. Dr. 
Henry E. Jacobs. The Rev. Dr. Matthew G. Boyer 
also assisted The building was consecrated on Feb- 
ruary 4, 1912. The Rev. Dr. George Sandt and the 
Rev. W. O. Fegley preached the sermons. 

Our congregation did not become self-supporting 
until 1869, at which time it separated from St. John's, 
Centre Square. As late as 1881 an effort was made 
by our people to again unite with St. John's, but the 
Centre Square brethren did not favor the plan. St. 
Peter's during its early years was also connected with 
Puff's Church (Upper Dublin), Tohickon and Hill- 
town, either at the same or different times. 

The following pastors served the congregation : An- 
thony Hecht, 1786-1792; Jacob Van Buskirk, 1793- 
1797; Henry A. Geissenhainer, 1797-1799; Jacob Van 
Buskirk (again), 1799-1800; John P. F. Kramer, 
1800-1801; John R. Weiand, August 11, 1811-1826; 
George Heilig, October 22, 1826-1842; Jacob Med- 
tart, 1843-1856; John W. Hassler, 1856-1862; P. M. 
Rightmyer, 1862-1868; E. L. Reed, 1868-1873; Lewis 
G. N. Miller, D.D., 1874-1875; William H. Myers, 
1876-1878; Theodore Heilig, 1878-1880; George D. 
Foust, 1880-1890; Charles W. Jefferis 1891-1899; 
Charles M. Jacobs, D.D., 1899-1902; A. C. Schenck, 



126 JUBILEE VOLUME 

1902-1908; Chanles G. Beck, 1909—. The decade of 
1801-1811 is one of uncertainty. During this time 
Charles Wildbahn, Johann C. Rebenack, David F. 
Schaeffer and Frederick S. Schaeffer served either as 
pastors or supplies. The following item from the 
minutes of Synod for 1811 bears interestingly upon 
the aforesaid : "The petition of the congregations in 
Whitpain, Northwalsch and Hilltown for a preacher, 
whom they promise all support and love, the members 
who might desire to go there were advised to confer 
with the President and the delegates." 

The records of Anthony Hecht are of unusual inter- 
est not only because they are the earliest we possess 
but also on account of their neatness and the earnest 
and devout spirit which they breathe. This is his en- 
try of the election of the first Church Council : "The 
names of the Elders, Deacons and Trustees who were 
elected by the congregation on the 23rd day of Sep- 
tember, 1787, namely, the 16th Sunday after Trinity, 
and were publicly installed before the congregation on 
the fourteenth day of October, namely, the 
19th Sunday after Trinity, by the pastor," — El- 
ders : Willhelm Rex, Philip Horst, Jacob Schwent, 
Philip Wagener, Johann Martin. Deacons : Heinrich 
Martin, Abraham Horstman, Jr., Heinrich Niebel, 
George Weber. Trustees : Abraham Dannehaur and 
Christian Kneib. 

The first class was confirmed on December 25, 1788, 
and numbered five. The second class was con- 
firmed on Easter, April 12, 1789, and num- 
bered 23. Below the names of these catechu- 
mens appears the prayer : "That these above dear- 






XORRISTOWX COXFEREXCE 127 

ly purchased souls may grow and increase in the love 
and knowledge of their only Mediator, Jesus Christ, 
is the cordial wish of their earnest and constant sup- 
pliant, Ant. Hecht." 

Our fathers have builded nobly. A gracious Provi- 
dence smiled upon them. May the present and com- 
ing generations recognize this and erect well the super- 
structure. 



OLD GOSHENHOPPEN, UPPER 
SALFORD 



OLD Goshenhoppen Church, located in Upper Sal- 
ford Township, Montgomery County, Pa., is 
one of the oldest Lutheran churches in the country. 
The congregation was organized in 1732. However, 
it is believed that a small congregation of 
Lutherans existed prior to this in the woods of this 
neighborhood. Soon after their organization the Lu- 
therans, desirous to have a place of worship, resolved 
to send John Michael Reiker to the land office in 
Philadelphia to secure a warrant on a tract of land. 
A member of the Reformed congregation accom- 
panied him to make the application jointly. The deed 
was not forthcoming until January 26, 1737. The 
deed was signed by the three brothers of William 
Penn, viz., John, Thomas and Richard. The purchase 
sum of 38% acres was 8£, 3s., 9d., all expenses in- 
cluded. The congregation erected, for school and 
church purposes, a small log building on this tract of 
land, which is still standing in the rear of the present 



128 JUBILEE VOLUME 

church building. A graveyard was laid out. The old- 
est tombstone is marked 1737. In 1744 the congrega- 
tions erected their first church edifice. The corner- 
stone was laid in the same year, but the church build- 
ing was not completed until 1748. The Latin inscrip- 
tion on the corner-stone signifies that the church was 
erected by the liberality of the people. In the corner- 
stone was placed a document containing the rights 
and duties of the respective congregations. This, as 
far as it can be ascertained, was the first union church 
in Pennsylvania. Between the years 1770 and 1775 a 
small pipe organ was installed. This organ was in use 
until 1848, when a larger one was installed. The old 
one was sold to Daniel Nase and erected in the Luth- 
eran church at Uniontown, Dauphin County. In later 
years it was erected in the First Lutheran Church at 
Tamaqua. The congregation in 1844 celebrated the 
centennial jubilee of the erection of the first church 
building. Pastor E. Peixotto on this occasion was as- 
sisted by Rev. Vogelbach. In 1894 the 150th anni- 
versary of the erection of the first church building 
was celebrated by the congregation. Pastor C. R. 
Fetter was assisted by Dr. Spieker, of Mt. Airy Semi- 
nary, he preaching the sermon. The second church 
edifice was erected in 1858. The cornerstone was laid 
May 15th. The church was dedicated in the spring of 
1859, costing $5,000. Rev. Peixotto was assisted by 
Dr. Mann, who preached the dedicatory sermon. In 
1915 this building was enlarged and completely reno- 
vated; an addition of 18x45 was built to the rear and 
a basement equipped with Sunday-school rooms, a 
steam heating and electric plant, beautiful stained glass 




OLD GOSHENHQPPEN 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 129 

windows were installed. The furniture is of mod- 
ern style. The auditorium is churchly throughout. The 
Old Goshenhoppen Church, as it appears today, is 
one of the finest churches in the upper end of the 
county. The total expenses of re-modeling the church 
building amounted to $12,722.10, all of which was pro- 
vided for by the day of re-dedication. The re-opening 
services were held May 7, 1916. Pastor Fetter was 
assisted by Dr. Haas, president of the Ministerium of 
Pennsylvania and of Muhlenberg College, who preach- 
ed the dedication sermon for the Lutheran congre- 
gation. Revs. Beck and Reiter preached in the after- 
noon and Rev. W. Nickel, president of the Confer- 
ence, in the evening. 

The present pipe organ was installed in 1880. It 
was built by Charles Durner, of Quakertown, at the 
cost of $1,800. English services every fourth week 
were introduced with the beginning of the present pas- 
torate in 1893. The Kirchenbuch was introduced in 
1881 and the Church Book in 1893. 

The only reliable information in the matter of pas- 
tors of the congregation are the church records, dating 
back to 1742. The time from 1732 to 1742 is involved 
in impenetrable darkness, and there is no ray of light 
whether the congregation had a minister at all, or who 
he was. But it is certain that a school teacher, who 
never had been ordained, by the name of Streiter, act- 
ed as pastor from 1732 to 1742. Muhlenberg in 1743 
recommended a young man by the name of Tobias 
Wagner to the congregation, but he failed to be elect- 
ed as pastor. In the latter part of 1743 Conrad An- 



130 JUBILEE VOLUME 

drea was elected pastor. He came from Zwei- 
briicken, in the Palatinate, where he had been sus- 
pended from the consistory. He was very anxious to 
seek fellowship with Muhlenberg at Trappe, but in 
vain, because he was found unfit for the holy office in 
Germany. He created strife, and left in 1750, after 
the congregation paying him a round sum for his re- 
signation. The congregation was received in the Min- 
isterium in 1751. The same year Lucas Rauss, from 
Siebenbiirgen in Hungary, arrived in Pennsylvania. 
He was licensed, and recommended by Muhlenberg to 
the congregation. In November, 1751, Muhlenberg 
administered the holy communion to the congregation, 
and on November 5, 1752, Rauss was ordained at 
Trappe, taking full charge of the congregation, serv- 
ing it until 1758. Immediately after the withdrawal 
of Rauss, John Joseph Roth, without the knowledge 
of the officers of Synod, took charge of the congrega- 
tion, remaining until 1767, when he left the congrega- 
tion. From 1767 to 1771 Rev. Niemeyer supplied the 
congregation. From the year 1772 a brighter future 
seems to dawn for the congregation, a new era opens. 
Stability and prosperity join hands. Rev. Conrad Roel- 
ler became pastor in July, 1772, serving the congrega- 
tion faithfully until his death in 1799. His son, George 
Roeller, became pastor February, 1800, and served the 
congregation until his death in 1840. In 1841 E. Peix- 
otto became pastor, remaining with the congregation 
until 1864. In the fall of 1864 Rev. F. Waltz was 
elected as Peixotto's successor and entered the field 
of labor on January 1, 1865. His pastorate covered 
28 years and 3 months. The present pastor, C. R. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 131 

Fetter, was elected in the fall of 1892 to become the 
successor of Father Waltz. He took charge April 1, 
1893, ever since serving the congregation faithfully. 



ST. MARK'S, PENNSBURG 



THE history of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran 
congregation of Pennsburg, Pa., dates back to 
the year 1855, when a number of Lutherans without 
proper church connections began to hold meetings for 
the purpose of forming themselves into a new congre- 
gation. A preliminary organization was effected, 
which became responsible for the collecting of funds 
and ascertaining the strength and stability of the 
movement. 

On June 13, 1856, the members of this new organ- 
ization agreed with the German Reformed movement 
located in the southern part of Pennsburg for the half 
interests in a thereafter common property. The Lu- 
therans paid the sum of $1,200 for this purpose. The 
following were the principal subscribers : John Blank, 
St., John A. Blank, Peter Heist, Levi Graul, John 
Heist, Michael Reiter, Sr., Charles Siesholtz, Frank- 
lin Reiter, Michael Reiter, Jr., Daniel Reiter, Thomas 
Reiter, Jesse Reiter, Hannah Reiter, Elias Schaerer, 
Nathanael Reiter, George Reiter, Rebecca Reiter, 
Solomon Dressier, Wm. C. Dressier, Thomas Hille- 
gass, Jonas Beysher, Lydia Hillegass, David Gilbert, 
Henry Reitnauer, John Bobb, Peter D. Hevener, Eliza 
Gery, Mary Ann Long, Catharine Beysher. These, 
with others, were the leaders in the new organization. 



132 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Rev. Wm. Kaemmerer was the first pastor. He ad- 
ministered the first communion to the new congrega- 
tion on November 23, 1856, when 60 persons partook 
of the sacrament. This pastorate continued for three 
years, when in 1859 Rev. Wendt became a supply pas- 
tor until 1862. 

The congregation was now united with Sumney- 
town and Sassamansvilie, which charge elected Rev. 
G. A. Struntz, who served until 1866. He was foil- 
lowed by Rev. E. J. Fleckenstein, who made the first 
attempts to introduce the German liturgical services, 
which were partly used thereafter. His pastorate 
lasted only two years. 

In 1868 the long, faithful and prosperous pastorate 
of Rev. Wm. B. Fox began. He put new life and 
vigor into the little flock that had suffered on ac- 
count of the many changes of pastors and whose 
church stood in both morning and evening shadows of 
large, wealthy and influential congregations from 
whose overflow it had been somewhat of an after- 
swarm. 

His first important stride in advance took place in 
1879. Heretofore there was a union Sunday-school, 
but through the wise administration of the pastor and 
the hearty support of his intimate helpers an amicable 
separation was effected. 

Both Sunday-schools and congregations worship- 
ping in the same building but at different times, now 
entered upon an era of continued prosperity. They 
increased steadily in numbers and influence until they 
outgrew the capacity of their building. Various plans 




ST. MARK'S, PENNSBURG 



N0RR1ST0WN CONFERENCE 133 

were made and studiously considered and discussed. 
These culminated in 1897, when both congregations 
agreed upon a reasonable amount, which was accept- 
ed by the Lutherans in lieu of their rights and privi- 
leges to the church 'property held heretofore in com- 
mon with the Reformed. St. Mark's was therefore 
now obliged to find for herself a suitable place where- 
upon to build her own church home. By the prudent 
judgment of the leaders of the church who had op- 
tions on several plots of suitable ground, a congrega- 
tional vote was ordered, which decided in favor of the 
Dotts' property, consisting of a house with lot of over 
an acre in size. This advantageous location is at the 
corner of First and Main Streets, Pennsburg, and 
within less than a hundred feet from the borough line 
of East Greenville. 

The cornerstone of the new building was laid on 
October 2, 1898. The structure, which is built of 
King of Prussia marble, is one of the handsomest in 
this part of the country. It has a seating capacity of 
358, with a Sunday-school department that can be 
thrown open which will increa'se the seating capacity 
by 150. The original cost of the building, above much 
labor and material donated by the members, was 
$15,000. 

The consecration services of this new church were 
held on June 3, 1900. This was the crowning event in 
the pastorate of Rev. Fox. On September 13, 1903, 
after a faithful ministry of 35 years, he resigned. An 
interim of one year of supplies for the pulpit resulted 
in large audiences but small contributions. During 
this time St. John's, Spinnerstown, became vacant and 

13 



134 JUBILEE VOLUME 

through the officers of Conference and Pastor Waage 
a plan of uniting it with St. Mark's materialized. 

Rev. William Ulysses Kistler, of the Amity ville 
parish in Berks County, Pa., and at the time a trus- 
tee of the Orphans' Home at Topton, Pa., received a 
unanimous call to become pastor of St. Mark's on 
April 24, 1904. He accepted and took charge on Sep- 
tember 8, 1904, and was installed on November 20, 
1904. He immediately began to straighten out the 
finances of the congregation. In this he was un- 
usually successful. A mortgage of $6,300 was soon 
lifted and two notes of $1,000 each were not long 
thereafter cancelled. The church has thus become en- 
tirely free from debt. On July 2, 1916, a special 
thanksgiving service in commemoration of these facts 
was held. Extensive repairs and improvements had 
to be made to the unfinished building and its sur- 
roundings. The most important of these were paint- 
ing, frescoing, repairing of memorial windows in the 
main auditorium, re-constructing and furnishing, in- 
cluding piano, of the Sunday-school department, cre- 
ating a separate primary department, and laying over 
6,000 square feet of cement pavement. 

The membership has more than doubled and the 
benevolent contributions have more than quadrupled 
in this pastorate. The congregation has been repeat- 
edly canvassed by the different agents of boards and 
institutions whereby large sums of money have been 
secured. In August of 1905 a new cemetery was dedi- 
cated. An additional plot of ground more than 20 
acres in size adjoins it. These belong to the church 
and are paid. 



NORRISTOWX CONFERENCE 135 

At the inception of the present pastorate there was 
not a regular church book in use, nor was there a 
Lutheran Sunday-school book in the Sunday-school. 
English evening services had been attempted by the 
pulpit supplies. The liturgical services in part intro- 
duced by Rev. Fleckenstein, for want of books were 
such in name only. All of these are now completely 
introduced. 

With but a few exceptions, St. Mark's is in front 
rank. It has the prospects of a very brilliant future. 
With over 500 confirmed members, a Sunday-school 
of over 425, an active Ladies' Aid Society and a 
flourishing Luther League, there is equipment for the 
greatest welfare. 

St. Mark's is especially noted for her many sons in 
the ministry. These are: Revs. D. H. Reiter, R. B. 
Lynch, I. B. Kurtz, D.D., E. M. Beysher, H. M. 
Schofer, J. A. Schofer, M. A. Kurtz, Frank Reiter, 
Ph.D. 



TRINITY, PERKASIE 



TWENTY-FIVE years ago, in March, 1892, at a 
meeting of the Church Council of St. Michael's 
Lutheran congregation, Sellersville, the necessity of 
holding Lutheran services in Perkasie was fully dis- 
cussed, and a committee was appointed to confer with 
the Lutherans at the latter place and to offer them en- 
couragement toward securing a place of worship. 
After several futile efforts to secure temporary quar- 
ters had been made, Rev. J. H. Waidelich, pastor of 
the Sellersville charge, under whose care the new field 
had 'been placed 'by the First District Conference of 
the Ministerium, formed a committee of six men to 
further the work. With true Lutheran spirit they im- 
mediately resolved to erect a church, and on June 17, 
1892, four months after the meeting in Sellersville, 
the corner-stone of the new building was laid. 

The first services were held in the church on March 
19, 1893, Rev. J. F. OM officiating in the afternoon, 
and Pastor Waidelich in the evening. At the latter 
service the first council was installed, consisting of J. 
H. Daub, Levinus Maurer, William Pnueger, Sam- 
uel Schuler, A. A. Baum and Frank Weber. On Sun- 
day, October 8, 1893, the Sunday-school was organ- 
ized with 123 scholars present. Charles W. Baum was 
elected superintendent, and has ever since served effi- 
ciently in that capacity. 

After being duly received into connection with the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, the congregation was 
temporarily assigned, by resolution of the Norristown 

136 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 137 

Conference, to the Sellersville charge. The organiza- 
tion completed and the membership about 125, the for- 
mal consecration of the church took place on Sun- 
day, August 11, 1895. Pastor Waidelich performed 
the act of consecration, and Rev. O. P. Smith, D.D., 
of Pottstown, preached the sermon. 

The excellent foresight of the founders was proven 
by the rapid and healthy growth of the congregation. 
On October 24, 1898, the congregation unanimously 
decided to unite with Jerusalem congregation, Almont, 
the two to form a parish. This action was endorsed 
on the following day by the Conference, Pastor 
Waidelich to serve as supply until final arrangements 
had been completed. Later he was duly called to be- 
come the pastor of the new charge, hut declined that 
he might remain at Sellersville. A call was then ex- 
tended to Rev. Preston A. Laury, of Marietta, Pa., 
who accepted and was installed by Rev. Waidelich 
on November 12, 1899. 

During these years Perkasie enjoyed a phenomenal 
growth, and Trinity Church kept pace with it. Under 
the efficient and untiring labors of Pastor Laury the 
congregation, after having made many improvements 
to its building, soon found a larger edifice necessary. 
The union with Jerusalem congregation was dissolved 
in 1907, the task of erecting a new and larger building 
was begun in the same year, and on June 23 the cor- 
nerstone of the present church was laid by Rev. 
Laury. To provide for this step, the original building 
was moved to the side of the lot and converted into 
an up-to-date graded Sunday-school chapel. The new 
granite building was consecrated on Trinity Sunday, 



138 JUBILEE VOLUME 

June 14, 1908, the sermon being preached by Rev. I. 
B. Kurtz, president of the Norristown Conference. At 
the following services, which were continued for one 
week, addresses were given by the neighboring pas- 
tors, and the work of a greater Trinity Church was 
auspiciously begun. With a large and beautiful 
church, a well-equipped Sunday-school chapel, a mod- 
ern parsonage, and with well-organized societies, 
Trinity congregation continues her work, and by the 
grace of God hopes to fulfil the mission for which she 
stands. 

Rev. Laury closed his pastorate on October 1, 1914, 
to become the president of the Lutheran Theological 
Seminary at Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The congre- 
gation called Rev. Norman Y. Ritter, of Quakertown, 
to become its pastor. He accepted, took up the work 
on January 1, 1915, and was installed by Rev. Warren 
Nickel on January 24 of the same year. 



ST. JOHN'S PHOENIXVILLE 



IN the year 1862, through the efforts of Rev. 
Weaver, pastor of Zion's and St. Peter's con- 
gregations, Chester County, Pa., and Rev. George 
Sill, who was then pastor of the Trappe charge, a con- 
gregation was organized in this town. 

A few Germans assembled one Sunday afternoon in 
what is now known as Buck's Woods, and then and 
there named this young daughter "St. John's." The 
congregation was served by Revs. Sill and E. Peix- 
otto, the latter being then pastor of the Old Goshen- 
hoppen charge. 

In July, 1864, the Rev. Henry S. Miller, then pastor 
of Zion's and St. Peter's, Chester County, called to- 
gether the members who disbanded during the Civil 
War. He re-organized the congregation and the church 
was received into synodical connection. They had no 
house of their own where they might worship, but 
wandered from place to place, conducting public wor- 
ship in the Mennonite Church, now the Central Luth- 
eran Church, then again in the Reformed Church, situ- 
ated on the corner of Marshall and High Streets ; 
again in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, and 
again in the Council Chamber. But, undismayed, with 
heroic energy, and reliance upon the grace of God, 
they continued and won amidst all difficulties. 

At a meeting of the congregation held in the 
Mennonite Meeting House, June 16, 1872, it was re- 
solved "That in full reliance on God they make a be- 
ginning to build a house of prayer." Mrs. H. S. 

139 



140 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Miller collected the money to purchase the lot between 
Star and Jackson Streets, on Church Street, for a 
thousand dollars. On August 25, 1872, ground was 
broken. On October 6, 1872, the cornerstone was laid. 
Services in the morning were held in the M. E. Church, 
when Rev. A. J. Weddell, of Norristown, preached 
the sermon. The members of the first council were: 
Trustees, John Yost, Nathan Wagoner and Charles 
Bader ; elders, William Klenk, Samuel King and 
Nicholas Marter; deacons, Conrad Bullwinkle, Jonas 
Walters, Augustus Alexander and Levi Ash. 

On July 20, 1873, the church was consecrated. Rev. 
Adolph Spaeth officiated at this service. On January 
9, 1874, Rev. H. S. Miller tendered his resignation. On 
February 7, 1875, he preached his last sermon. Rev. 
Miller died August 29, 1887, aged eighty-six years. 

On March 14, 1875, Rev. F. C. C. Kaehler, a student 
at the Seminary, was called. During his pastorate the 
Ladies' Aid Society was organized, and showed earn- 
estness and zeal by the purchase of a parsonage. In 
August, 1882, Rev. E. H. Gerhart was called. During 
his pastorate the Young People's Association was or- 
ganized December 10, 1883. The name of this organ- 
ization was changed to Luther League. 

Rev. Solomon E. Stupp was installed November 4, 
1888, and served the congregation for nine months. 

Rev. Carl L. Wolters served the congregation from 
June, 1890, until April, 1893. During his pastorate 
the Mite Society was organized. 

Rev. Nevin E. Miller's pastorate began June 1, 
1893. Most of the present pastor's history covers the 
period which began with the building of a new church. 




ST. JOHN'S, PHOlvNIXVHvIvS 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 141 

Finding the old church building inadequate, a new lot 
was procured for the erection of a new church at its 
present site. The corner-stone was laid June 14, 1896, 
and the edifice consecrated June 20, 1897. The build- 
ing, one of the most handsome church edifices in the 
Schuylkill Valley, is a standing testimonial to the ac- 
tivity, zeal and liberality of pastor and people. 

The building committee of the new church was A. 
W. Kley, Frederick Wagner, Levi Ash, Chas. F. 
Bader, C. D. Coleman, William Ash, William Hech, 
Charles Weiland and Rev. N. E. Miller. The church 
now entered upon a new era and English became the 
predominating language. It is ( the largest Lutheran 
congregation in Chester County, having a membership 
of four hundred and seventy-five confirmed members, 
with a Sunday-school enrollment of three hundred 
scholars. There is a steady, healthy growth in all soci- 
eties. The congregation owns a lot alongside of the 
church, on which it intends to build a Parish House. 
The congregation owns a splendid parsonage on Mor- 
gan Street. 

And as the years roll over 

And strong affections twine, 
And tender memories gather 

Around this Sacred Shrine, 
May this it's chief distinction 

Its glory ever be, 
That multitudes within it 

Have found their way to Thee. 



EMMANUEL'S, POTTSTOWN 



EMMANUEL Evangelical Lutheran Church, of 
Pottstown, Pa., is of direct lineage of the 
"Hauflein of Lutherans" at Pottsgrove, to whom 
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg had promised J. Potts, 
Esq., to preach as early as August 12, 1764. It is 
therefore reasonably assumed that about the year 
1765 this little group of Lutherans was tentatively, 
though crudely, organized. 

Soon after laying out the town John Potts, Esq., do- 
nated to the *German Lutheran congregation the lot 
on which was erected the first log church, built where 
Emmanuel Lutheran Church now stands. This lot 
was subsequently divided between Emmanuel's Luth- 
eran and Zion's Reformed congregations. 

Between 1765 and 1772 the original "organized 
group" of Lutherans was still without a regular pas- 
tor and earnestly sought to be united with the parish, 
constituted by the Trappe, Pikestown, west of the 
Schuylkill, and the New Hanover congregations, 
which were then served by Muhlenberg's successor, 
Rev. John Ludwig Voigt, who, until he resigned the 
New Hanover congregation in 1776 and moved to 
Pikestown, Chester County, resided at New Hanover. 

Such a union was effected in 1772, and Rev. Voigt 
became the first regular pastor of the Lutheran 
Church of Pottstown. He perfected the organization 
and held preaching services about once a month. 



* Schmucker 

142 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 143 

It appears from the earliest records extant that the 
congregation was indifferently styled "The German 
Lutheran Church of Pottsgrove," or "The Lutheran 
Church of Pottstown," even until the time of its legal 
incorporation in 1871. 

The first "Log Church" began to show evidences of 
decay and too narrow quarters for the increasing con- 
gregation, after sheltering it for at 'least a period of 
thirty years, concerning which time Muhlenberg said : 
"The densest ignorance prevailed and the prospect of 
approaching darkness and idolatry was most distress- 
ing. So sad, so degraded is the condition of our poor 
Lutheran people that you could hardly bewail it 
enough with tears of blood. The children are growing 
up without baptism, without instruction, without 
training ; and so they sink into heathenism itself. They 
are as sheep without a shepherd and left to the mercy 
of 'unprincipled vagabonds,' who like wolves steal in 
to tear the sheep." 

In the extreme southwest corner of the original lot, 
in 1796, the congregation undertook the erection of 
the first "Brick Church" at a total cost of about $6,- 
000. The Reformed congregation assisted somewhat 
in this enterprise. This old church still stands, though 
it has been repeatedly and extensively renovated and 
altered, and is now (since 1871) owned exclusively 
by Zion's Reformed Church. At the consecration of 
the church, the same year, 1796, Rev. Nathan Grier, a 
Presbyterian minister of Chester County, preached, 
probably the first English sermon, to the congregations 
(Reformed and Lutheran). 



144 JUBILEE VOLUME 

From this time the English element grew steadily, 
so that the desire for English services became defin- 
itely stronger until it ripened naturally into a demand 
for English services, which soon brought into the life 
of the church a sister congregation, younger by almost 
70 years. During Rev. Conrad Miller's pastorate, 
1823-1848, an English Lutheran congregation was or- 
ganized with 43 communicants, which was to be con- 
sidered as but one and the same congregation, accord- 
ing to mutual agreement, with the German Lutheran 
congregation. This action, resulting in external separ- 
ation, based on the language consideration, was taken 
on Sunday, April 13, 1834. The Rev. John W. Rich- 
ards, who had already co-operated with the pastor of 
the German Lutheran Church, Rev. Conrad Miller, in 
effecting an organization, and having recently been 
called from New Holland, Lancaster County, to be- 
come pastor of the newly constituted charge — Trappe, 
Limerick and Towamencin — accepted a call to become 
the first pastor of the English Lutheran Church of 
Pottstown, in an entirely new enterprise. 

After the experiment of nominal separation had ex- 
tended through three pastorates, viz., Revs. John W. 
Richards (1834-36), Jacob Wampole (1836 to the 
time of his death, 1838,), and Henry S. Miller (1838- 
1848), it was again terminated; and, in the summer 
of 1848 — when Rev. Conrad Miller, pastor of the Old 
Lutheran Church, transferred the care of the German 
congregation to his nephew, Rev. George F. Miller ; 
and when Rev. Henry S. Miller, pastor of the English 
congregation, resigned, the new "German and Eng- 
lish" pastor, Rev. George F. Miller, resumed the whole 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 145 

Lutheran interest, English and German, in the "Old 
Brick Church." This second arrangement continued 
until 1861. 

During this period, notwithstanding strong opposi- 
tion, English services were introduced at least once a 
month, in the afternoon. 

At a joint meeting in July, 1852, it was resolved to 
introduce English evening services, at the suggestion 
of the Church Council of the English part of the con- 
gregation ; the German congregation, moreover, re- 
serving the same right for itself. 

From 1856, when the congregation failed to come 
to an agreement whether the old church huilding 
should be re-modeled or a new church built, the desire 
for an exclusively English church grew stronger until 
it led to definite action in 1859, when it was unani- 
mously resolved to begin to solicit subscriptions to- 
ward the building of a new English Lutheran Church. 
The new charter was approved October 22, 1859, and 
the congregation was incorporated under the name 
and title, "The English Evangelical Lutheran Church 
of the Transfiguration." The new church was conse- 
crated February 16, 1861. 

The German congregation, continuing English even- 
ing services, remained in the old church building; but 
Rev. G. F. Miller relinquished the care of the German 
congregation and assumed exclusive charge of the 
English congregation. Rev. H. Wendt, then pastor of 
the Swamp congregation, was called to the old Ger- 
man — now German and English — Lutheran Church in 
May, 1861. 



146 JUBILEE VOLUME 

The first Sunday-school of Pottstown was organ- 
ized in 1815 by Rev. Jacob Douglas, an Episcopalian. 
After the Episcopal Church on High Street was built, 
the Sunday-school was transferred to that church in 
1845 and re-organized as a distinctively Episcopalian 
school. 

Thereupon Rev. Henry S. Miller, then pastor of the 
English Lutheran Church, organized a union Sunday- 
school comprising chiefly Lutheran and Reformed 
families. From this organization, in 1862, at the com- 
pletion of the new English Lutheran Church, the Sun- 
day-school organization of that congregation, being 
recently formed, withdrew. And from the old organ- 
ization, which continued as a union Sunday-school, an- 
other distinctively Lutheran Sunday-school was or- 
ganized in June, 1864, subsequently known as "Em- 
manuel Lutheran Sunday-school." 

At the completion of the basement of Emmanuel 
Lutheran Church, May 26, 1872, this Sunday-school 
was transferred to the place where it has continued to 
hold its meetings unto the present. Its enrollment at 
that time was 676 scholars, which continued to in- 
crease until the high-water mark of over 1,100 schol- 
ars was reached. This high standard was maintained 
till the organization of the branch Sunday-schools, in 
the east and west ends of the town, organized in 1892 
and 1889, as St. James and St. Peter's, respectively. 

The old "German and English congregation" be- 
came self-sustaining in January, 1866, when Rev. Wil- 
liam G. Laitzle became its first regular pastor 





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EMMANUEL, POTTSTOWN 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 147 

During his pastorate a parsonage was built at a cost 
of nearly $4,000 on a lot purchased in 1784. The new 
parsonage was occupied by the pastor in March, 1867. 

Soon after the congregation had its own pastor, its 
rapid increase in membership and the need of more 
frequent services engendered a desire to have its own 
church edifice. Eventually, in May, 1871, the Luth- 
erans sold their interest in the old Brick Church; and 
the lot between Walnut and Chestnut Streets, 300 feet 
in length along Hanover Street and 120 feet deep, was 
equally divided — the Lutherans taking the northern 
half and the Reformed the remainder. The Lutherans 
began building operations on the northwest corner of 
the lot immediately. 

The congregation was never re-organized — since its 
original organization, about 1772 — until May 15, 1871, 
when an act of incorporation was obtained under the 
title "The German and English Evangelical Lutheran 
Emmanuel's Church of Pottstown, Pa." 

. The corner-stone of the new church was laid Satur- 
day, July 22, 1871. The church was consecrated Sep- 
tember 28 and 29, 1872. At these services the Revs. 
J. Vogelbach, A. Spaeth, D.D., J. Fry, D.D., C. W. 
Schaeffer, D.D., W. J. Mann, D.D., and J. A. Seiss, 
D.D., LL.D.. delivered sermons. The dimensions of 
the church building are 63 feet in width by 99y 2 feet in 
length ; and the approximate cost of the structure 
about $33,000, exclusive of the lot, memorials and 
church furniture. 

Rev. Laitzle resigned June, 1874. The Rev. D. K. 
Kepner was called to succeed him and was installed 
as pastor January 1, 1875. Having a new, commodi- 



148 JUBILEE VOLUME 

ous and beautiful church edifice, the new pastor en- 
tered upon his pastoral labors in a favorable and fer- 
tile field, putting his ability as an organizer and exec- 
utive to its supreme test. The rapid growth of the 
congregation during his incumbency, the sincere loy- 
alty to him of the members, the new $5,000 pipe organ 
installed in 1885, the excellent choir, the fine Sunday- 
school orchestra, the activity of the young people in 
church work, the lofty esteem in which he was held 
by those not in his fold, testify to the great versatility, 
the deep consecration and the general efficiency of 
their pastor, whose sacrificing devotion and sincere 
services they enjoyed over twenty-two years. Prob- 
ably the most noteworthy event during his incum- 
bency was the organization of two branch Sunday- 
schools, which soon became preaching points and the 
nucleus of an additional parish, constituted by St. 
James' Fegely Memorial Church, consecrated in 1892, 
and St. Peter's, holding Sunday-school since July 7, 
1889, and regular preaching services by Student Kurtz 
since August 21, 1892, in a school-house. To afford 
these young congregations regular preaching and to 
assist the pastor, D. K. Kepner, in better oversight, 
Irwin B. Kurtz, student at the Mt. Airy Theological 
Seminary, was called by resolution of the church 
council. 

Student Kurtz served as assistant during his sum- 
mer vacation in 1892 ; and, at the request of the church 
council, continued to preach about every two weeks 
during the winter and spring terms of 1892 and 1893. 
After graduating in the spring of 1893, Rev. Irwin B. 
Kurtz was called by Emmanuel congregation to serve 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 149 

as assistant pastor with special change over the two 
mission congregations. He was installed June 25, 

1893. Early in 1894, as an absolute necessity for 
want of a separate building, operations toward the 
erection of St. Peter's Lutheran Church at Stowe 
were begun. The cornerstone was laid August 19, 

1894, and the church was consecrated in May, 1895. 
In June, 1896, these congregations were fully and 
regularly organized as a separate parish. As mission 
points in Emmanuel's embrace they were warmly and 
generously supported by the mother congregation, and 
were never dependent upon the Home Mission funds 
of the Synod. 

In March, 1895, Rev. Kurtz resigned the assistant- 
ship to accept a call to the Augustus Lutheran Church, 
Trappe, Pa. 

Rev. D. K. Kepner continued his pastorate to the 
time of his death, which occurred soon after dinner on 
Sunday, May 9, 1897, on which Sunday Rev. Kurtz 
preached in his stead. The evening services were 
omitted. 

At an election held July 17, 1897, Rev. Irwin B. 
Kurtz, Trappe, Pa., was dected as pastor to succeed 
Rev. D. K. Kepner. This call was accepted August 10, 
1897; and the pastorate was assumed October 21, 
1897. The installation sermon was preached by Rev. 
D. H. Reiter, then president of the Norristown Con- 
ference. 

The previous association of the new incumbent with 
Rev. Kepner enabled him to continue the extensive 
labors of the large parish without a jar; realizing, 
moreover, the necessity of devoting the major part of 



150 JUBILEE VOLUME 

his office and ability to the development of the inner 
life of the congregation toward greater efficiency as a 
factor in the life of the community and in the life and 
history of the great Lutheran Church in general. 

The Sunday-school has always been a prominent 
and important feature in the history of Emmanuel 
Church. Eariy in the year 1902 the difficult problem 
of building a primary school annex was solved and a 
resolution was passed at a regularly called congrega- 
tional meeting to begin the erection of a fine, com- 
modious annex 35 feet by 75 feet, to the east end of 
the church building at a total cost of $10,000. This 
building, carefully adapted to the teaching of the 
grades for primary schools, recommended by the 
General Council, was consecrated on Sunday, Decem- 
ber 13, 1903. The pastor and Rev. J. Fry, D.D., de- 
livered the sermons. 

During the summer of 1905 the parsonage, located 
at Penn and Chestnut Streets, was extensively re-mod- 
eled at an approximate cost of $3,000, thereby great- 
ly enhancing the value of the property and affording 
the pastor the comforts of a modern home in a'll re- 
spects. 

The introduction of the General Council Sunday- 
school grades into the intermediate department of the 
Sunday-school in 1909 necessitated alterations to the 
basement of the church, including the re-arrangement 
of seats and the building of a new and additional en- 
trance on the Walnut Street side, at a cost of $800, 
paid by the school. 

At a special meeting of the congregation, regularly 
called, April 8, 1907, it was resolved to revise and 






NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 151 

amend the present charter and constitution of the con- 
gregation. The same is recorded in the minutes both 
in the original and amended form. 

In May, 1911, complete renovation and alterations 
to the main room of the church were begun. Messrs. 
Lachman and Murphy, Philadelphia, Pa., were se- 
cured as architects and F. H. Keiser & Co., Potts- 
town, were awarded the contract. During the time 
occupied by this work, services were held regularly in 
the basement. On Whitsunday, 1912, the main room 
of the church was re-consecrated. The Revs. H. E. 
Jacobs, D.D., LL.D., G. F. Spieker, D.D., and J. Fry, 
D.D., LL.D., delivered sermons on this occasion. On 
Whitmonday evening Rev. T. E. Schmauk. D.D., 
LL.D., president of the General Council, and mem- 
ber of the theological faculty at Mt. Airy, preached 
the sermon. On Tuesday evening following Rev. C. 
C. Snyder, president of the Norristown Conference., 
preached. 

The approximate cost of this enterprise was $43,- 
000, including entire organ re-building, all the memor- 
ials, the installing of new twin steam-heaters, painting 
church exterior and many smaller extras. 

In 1915-16 the basement of the church, used for 
Sunday-school and occasional preaching services, was 
renovated and re-arranged at a cost of $2,000, paid by 
the Sunday-school. The room was re-opened for Sun- 
day-school session with special services on Sunday 
afternoon, March 26, 1916, during the Pottstown cam- 
paign for the $500,000 Educational Fund. The local 
Lutheran pastors, Revs. Kline, Seneker and Savacool,. 



152 JUBILEE VOLUME 

and representatives of the educational committee, Drs. 
Haas, Keiter and Prof. Brown, delivered addresses. 

The congregation is adequately organized, compris- 
ing the following societies : The Mite Society, organ- 
ized during Rev. Laitzle's pastorate; the Luther 
League, organized during Rev. Kurtz's assistantship ; 
the Boys' and Girls' Mission Bands, organized during 
Rev. Kepner's pastorate; a flourishing Woman's Mis- 
sionary Society, organized by the present pastor in 
1891 ; and a large men's organization. It has a Sun- 
day-school of over 900 scholars and a Cradle Roll de- 
partment of about 150 members. 

By the introduction of the "Duplex Envelope" sys- 
tem in 1913, the finances of the congregation were 
materially advanced, the general and benevolent con- 
tributions are gradually increasing. 

The congregation has but a small debt resting upon 
it resulting from the recent alterations to the main 
room of 'the church. It enjoys at this time the most 
responsive and sacrificing spirit in its history. It is 
about to observe the 150th anniversary of its organ- 
ization and the 20th anniversary of the present pas- 
torate. 

The following is a chronological table of its pas- 
tors : Revs. John Ludwig Voigt, 1772 to December, 
1800; John Fred. Weinland, 1800-1806; F. W. Geis- 
senhainer, Sr., 1807-1808; J. P. Hecht, 1809-1813; 
J. E. L. Brauns, 1814-1815 ; H. A. Geissenhainer, 1816- 
1821 ; F. W. Geissenhainer, Sr., again, assisted by his 
son, Fred. Wm, Jr, 1821-1823; Conrad Miller, 1823- 
1848; G. F. Miller, 1848-1861 ; PL Wendt, 1861-1864; 
A. IT Groh, 1865-1866 ; W. G. Laitz'le, 1866-1874 ; D. 
K. Kepner, 1875-1897; I. B Kurtz, D.D, 1897—. 





Rev. W. O. Fegely 



Rev. W. A. Fluck 





Rev. C. R. Fetter 



Rev. F. F. Haworth 





Rev. H. W. Fitting 



Rev. C. F. Held 



GRACE, POTTSTOWN 



GRACE Lutheran congregation originated in 
the minds of several Christian gentlemen, re- 
siding in the northern part of Pottstown, early in 
1896. These felt the need of a place for the public 
worship of Almightly God, and the Christian instruc- 
tion of the young in their immediate vicinity. The 
first tangible expression of their sentiments became 
known when they sought the advice of those whom 
they trusted. To test the sincerity of those interested, 
a public religious service was conducted on May 24, 
1896, in the building on the southwest corner of Evans 
and Oak Streets, then the property of the Mennonite 
congregation. The result of this service was inspir- 
ing, and caused these people to take courage and go 
forward. Enthusiasm ran high and resulted in fre- 
quent meetings held in private houses, to discuss the 
advisability of organizing a Lutheran congregation in 
this part of the town. After securing the advice and 
consent of the president of the Norristown Confer- 
ence, the initiative was taken to organize what was 
later styled "Grace Lutheran Church of Pottstown, 
Pa." No convenient place to conduct services being 
available, the old abandoned Royer's school-house, on 
North Charlotte Street, beyond the Pottstown Hospi- 
tal, was secured, rent free, for this purpose ; and here 
the first service was held on July 5, 1896. The ser- 
vices were conducted on summer Sunday afternoons, 
so that neither light nor heat were required ; the jan- 
itor, preacher and organist rendered their services 

153 



154 JUBILEE VOLUME 

gratis, so that if ever the Gospel was entirely free, it 
was in those early days of Grace congregation. 

On May 14th a committee was appointed to pro- 
cure a suitable site upon which to erect a chapel for 
the use of the congregation and the Sunday-school. 

On May 26th a temporary organization was effect- 
ed, Jefferson C. Schanely being elected president, and 
Harrison S. Latshaw, secretary. At this meeting the 
committee on lots reported that three lots suitable for 
this purpose were available — two on Charlotte Street, 
between West and East Streets, and one on the corner 
of West and Evans Streets. The choice fell upon the 
lot owned by Bauer and Fisher on Charlotte Street. 
The committee was ordered, by paying a certain sum, 
to close the deal. Later this action was rescinded, and 
the lot on which the church is now located was pur- 
chased from Wm. H. Young for thirteen hundred dol- 
lars. 

At this time also a paper was drawn up upon which 
to secure the signatures of those who would become 
members. Sixty-two persons were enrolled as charter 
members, of whom less than one-half are now in ac- 
tive membership. 

On July 6th the name of "Grace Evangelical Luth- 
eran Church of Pottstown, Pa.," was adopted, and a 
committee appointed to draft a constitution for the 
new congregation, and on the 26th the same was 
adopted. On August 9th a permanent organization was 
effected by electing the first church council, as fol- 
lows : Deacons, Lewis Jones, Ambrose Schanely, 
David J. Keck and Henry S. Hausman ; elders, John 
E. Strunk, Jonathan Y. Keck, Percival Kepner and 




GRACE, POTTSTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 155 

Jefferson C. Schanely; trustees, Aaron Trout, John 
L. Eagle, to whom Henry K. Moyer was afterward 
added as an additional trustee. On September 6th 
Rev. J. J. Kline was elected pastor of the congrega- 
tion. He accepted the call, and is still serving in that 
capacity. 

On September 10th a building committee was elect- 
ed, viz : Jefferson C. Schanley, Jonathan Y. Keck, Per- 
cival G. Kepner, John L. Eagle and Josiah Frederick. 
Mr. Kepner having declined to serve, Aaron Trout 
was elected to serve in his stead. Building operations 
began immediately, and on October 2nd the corner- 
stone was laid. Rev. R. D. Roeder, president of Con- 
ference, and Rev. D. K. Kepner delivered the ad- 
dresses. 

The building operations were carried on with the 
utmost celerity, so that the original building, whose 
dimensions are 40x45 feet, with an annex of 20x22 
feet, and a tower with a belfry, was finished by the 
end of the year, and was consecrated on January 10, 
1897. Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D.D., president of the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania ; Rev. O. P Smith, D.D., 
Rev A. M. Weber and Rev. I. B. Kurtz preached the 
sermons on that occasion. 

At the Spring meeting of the Norristown Confer- 
ence the congregation was regularly received into 
Synod. 

A charter was granted the congregation on May 3, 
1897, by the Courts of Montgomery County. By this 
legal transaction the organization of the congregation 
was completed in every particular. Since then the 
congregation has enjoyed a steady growth in numer- 



156 JUBILEE VOLUME 

ical strength and usefulness; and it is hoped that its 
spiritual influence may continue to be felt in the com- 
munity by many generations yet unborn. 

The Sunday-school was organized on January 24, 
1897, with 105 persons present at its first session. The 
school is using the General Council Series of Graded 
Lessons, and has been eminently successful from its 
very beginning. Some of its officers and teachers have 
held their positions all these years, and have labored 
with untiring zeal for the welfare of the Christian 
training of the young, and have sacrificed time and 
money to produce the highest efficiency of the school. 
Some of its scholars have missed but a few sessions 
in a score of years ; others have been present every 
Sunday for numbers of years, showing the interest 
manifested in the enterprise. The school now num- 
bers 508 members. 

Thrice has the original church building been en- 
larged, and in every instance at the request of the 
Sunday-school. A library room was first added in 
1905. In 1907 a large infant room and twenty feet to 
the length of the main audience room were built. In 
both these cases the Sunday-school contributed liber- 
ally towards the expenses. At the consecration ser- 
vices of this new addition Rev. O. F. Waage and Prof. 
Jacob Fry, D.D., LL.D., preached the sermons. 

A third addition to the seating capacity of the church 
building was made in 1915, when two galleries were 
added. This was done entirely at the expense of the 
Sunday-school. At this time the entire building was 
renovated and beautified. An electric lighting system 
was installed, stained glass windows placed through- 






NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 157 

out the entire building, the walls were frescoed, the 
woodwork varnished, the floor carpeted and a new 
piano purchased for the use of the Sunday-school. 
All these expenses were met by the school and the 
Luther League, and by private contributions of mem- 
bers and friends of the congregation. 

A signal blessing of the Sunday-school is the fact 
that its first superintendent, H. S. Latshaw, is still in 
office, and that many of the original 105 are in 
their places, either as officers, teachers or scholars of 
the school. 

The Luther League was organized April 17, 1898. 
This society has its regular devotional and business 
meetings, and frequently contributes to the various 
objects of the congregation and to charity. The league 
is a member of the Bucks, Montgomery and Chester 
District League, and is regularly represented by its 
delegates at the conventions. 

In October, 1912, the Woman's Missionary Society 
was organized. Though this organization is young, 
and composed of but a limited membership, yet its 
deeds of benevolence have been considerable, and the 
missionary information gained has been a great bless- 
ing to its members. 

A Girls' Mission Band was organized during the 
current year, 1916. A number of young girls meet 
monthly and are being taught along missionary lines, 
and are themselves conducting the organization in a 
manner quite commendable. 

Thus this young congregation, now fully organized, 
has proven its right to exist, by gathering men and 



158 JUBILEE VOLUME 

means for the kingdom of God. May the congregation 
continue to do greater deeds of love and charity, to the 
honor and praise of Our blessed Lord and Saviour, 
Jesus Christ. 



ST. JAMES', POTTSTOWN 



THE organization of St. James' Lutheran Sundcy- 
school in 1892, and the congregation in 1896, 
was made possible by the missionary zeal and activity 
of the Beneficial Society of Emmanuel Lutheran 
Church, the Rev. D. K. Kepner, pastor. 

In the Spring of 1889 the aforesaid society appoint- 
ed a committee of six, with Rev. Kepner as chairman, 
to select and purchase a site in the eastern part of the 
town for the purpose of erecting a chapel. On the 
first of June this committee purchased two lots, 60 
feet, on the northeast corner of High and Green 
Streets, from George B. McBerkley and wife and 
Joseph Potts & Company, for $1,225. Eight hundred 
and ninety dollars of this amount was paid by the 
Beneficial Society and the balance by the Ladies' Mite 
Society of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. 

On June 20, 1891, ground was broken for the erec- 
tion of a building to be the gift of Mrs. Lovina Feg- 
ely, widow of Isaac Fegely, as a memorial to her hus- 
band. The corner-stone was laid on the 16th of Au- 
gust, 1891, with Rev. A. G. Loder, supply of Em- 
manuel congregation, in the absence of Rev. Kep- 
ner, in charge of the services. Rev. O. P. Smith, 
president of the Norristown Conference, performed the 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 159 

ceremony of laying the cornerstone and delivered an 
address in the German language. Rev. J. Neff, of 
Spring City, and H. M. Lessig, in behalf of the Bene- 
ficial Society, delivered addresses in the English lan- 
guage. The contract price of the building was $5,487 
and an additional sum of about $2,000 was expended 
for the furnishings. The pulpit, lectern, altar and 
chancel chairs were donated by the Sotter brothers, 
members of Emmanuel Church. 

The building was dedicated on the 20th of June, 

1892, with impressive services in charge of Rev. Kep- 
ner. Revs. O. P. Smith and C. C. Boyer delivered the 
sermons on this occasion. 

On Sunday afternoon, July 3, 1892, the first meet- 
ing was held for the purpose of effecting a Sunday- 
school organization. Of the one hundred and forty- 
one persons present, 66 were enrolled as members of 
the Sunday-school. 

During the summer of 1892 services were conducted 
by Rev. I. B. Kurtz, D.D., then a student in Mt. Airy 
Lutheran Theological Seminary. Beginning June 1, 

1893, Dr. Kurtz took formal charge of St. James' 
Mission as the assistant of Rev. Kepner, and regularly 
conducted services. After the resignation of Dr. Kurtz 
on May 1, 1895, the Rev. L. J. Bickel was elected as- 
sistant to Rev. Kepner, and likewise took charge of 
the mission. 

The first effort to organize a congregation in the 
early spring of 1895 having failed, a second effort 
made in the spring of 1896 was successfully consum- 
mated. The organization of the congregation was ac- 



160 JUBILEE VOLUME 

complished in the following manner: On March 1, 
1896, after a regular evening service, the worshippers 
in a regular manner resolved that Emmanuel Church 
Council be petitioned to take such steps as might be 
necessary to effect the organization of a congregation 
in St. James' chapel. At its monthly business meeting 
in March, Emmanuel's council appointed a committee 
to canvass the field and ascertain the number of people 
who would connect themselves with and pledge their 
support in the event of the organization of a new con- 
gregation. The result of the canvass was that 116 
persons pledged their support to the project, and the 
greater part of this number was transferred to the 
new congregation as soon as the organization was ef- 
fected. 

A new committee, with authority to organize, was 
appointed, and at their first meeting on June 16, 1896, 
with the congregation, A. L. Ebert and I. G. Romich 
were appointed temporary officers. A constitution 
committee composed of A. L. Elbert, I. G. Romich, S. 
Wm. Hoffman, Wm. H. Rush and Augustus Gromis, 
was also appointed at 'this meeting. A second meeting 
was held on July 7, at which time the report of the 
constitution committee was received and a constitu- 
tion adopted. At a third meeting on July 27 the or- 
ganization was completed by the election of the con- 
gregational officers constituting the Church Council. 
The personnel of the first church officers was : I. G. 
Romich and John K. Shaner, elders ; A. L. Ebert, S. 
Wm. Hoffman, Howard Willman and Christian Carle, 
deacons ; Wm. H. Rush and Augustus Gromis, trus- 
tees. I. G. Romich, as secretary, and John K. Shaner, 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 161 

as treasurer, were the first officers of the Church 
Council. 

The Rev. L. J. Bickel continued to serve the newly 
organized congregation as supply until January 1, 
1897. At the fall meeting of the Norristown Confer- 
ence, October 19-20, 1896, St. James' was received 
into organic connection with the Ministerium of Penn- 
sylvania and Adjacent States, and with St. Peter's, 
Stowe, was constituted a parish. 

Rev. L. J. Bickel was elected to the pastorate of the 
parish December 5, 1896. He was installed in St. 
Peter's Church, February 24, 1897. 

A Ladies' Aid Society was organized on March 27, 
1897, and a Luther League on November 3, 1897. 
Both of these societies have since proven to be very 
valuable assets in the work of the congregation. 

Notable improvements were made to the church 
edifice during the pastorate of Rev. Bickel, the first 
in the spring of 1899, and again during August of 
1903, the latter at an expense of over $400, of which 
the Ladies' Aid paid a large proportion. Re-opening 
services were held August 30, 1903. 

After serving the congregation for over 13 years, 
Rev. Bickel, on May 1, 1910, relinquished the pastor- 
ate of 'the parish. The Rev. A. W. Lindenmuth, 
Ph.D., was elected his successor. He took charge of 
the field on October 3, 1910, and was installed by Rev. 
N. E. Miller on October 9, 1910. 

During the pastorate of Rev. Lindenmuth a char- 
ter was applied for and received in July, 1914. In 
September of the same year the congregation was 



162 JUBILEE VOLUME 

blessed in the receipt of $2,000 in first mortgage gold 
bonds from the estate of Jacob Sotter. 

After laboring successfully as pastor of the congre- 
gation for four years, Rev. Lindenmuth resigned No- 
vember 3, 1914, and relinquished the pastorate No- 
vember 30th. 

The third and present pastor is Rev. J. S. Savacool, 
who accepted the unanimous call of the parish on Feb- 
ruary 25, 1915. He took charge of the work on June 
22, 1915, and was installed by Rev. Warren Nickel, 
president of the Conference, on August 1 of the same 
year. 

Since its organization the congregation has enjoyed 
a steady and heal'thy growth and gradual progress in 
the efficiency of its work. The past year has been 
particularly notable in the history of the congrega- 
tion. The numerical increase was over 25 per cent, of 
its previous membership. 

The present church building, until the summer of 
1916 the property of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, has 
been transferred to St. James' congregation, and in 
accordance with the action of the congregation is now 
for sale. 

In the spring of 1916 a new site 120 by 140 feet, sit- 
uated at High and Price Streets, was purchased 
through the instrumentality of the Church Council, 
with the consent of the congregation, for the sum of 
$4,500. The action which resulted in the purchase of a 
new site took place at a special congregational meeting 
held on April 12, 1916. At the same meeting, by unani- 
mous action of the congregation, the council was given 
authority to appoint a building committee, who were 




ST. JAMES', POTTSTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 163 

to proceed with the plans and erection of a new build- 
ing or 'buildings. Since that time the work has con- 
tinued uninterrupted, and at this writing operations 
are under way for the erection of a church edifice 
which when completed will cost approximately $50,- 
000. Impressive ground-breaking services on Octo- 
ber 7, 1916, preceded the building operations. Praying 
for God's guidance and blessing, St. James continues 
its work in the interests of His Kingdom. 



TRANSFIGURATION, POTTSTOWN 

IN a pamphlet entitled "The Lutheran Church in 
Pottstown," by the Rev. B. M. Schmucker. D.D., 
it is stated that it is evident from the Halle Reports 
that there was a Lutheran church in Pottstown as 
early as October, 1772. 

In 1796 the small dimensions and the decay of the 
first log church moved the congregation to undertake 
the erection of the brick church still standing and in 
good condition on the northeast corner of Hanover 
and Chestnut Streets and now owned and used by 
Zion's Reformed congregation. 

The German language was used almost entirely by 
the Lutherans until 1834. On Sunday, April 13, 1834, 
Rev. Conrad Miller, the pastor, requested the congre- 
gation and vestry to remain after service for the pur- 
pose of taking measures to secure regular services in 
English. At the meeting then held it was decided that 
those members who desired to have English services 
(there being then two Sundays vacant in every four 



164 JUBILEE VOLUME 

weeks) should get a minister, for-m a second vestry, 
make their own collections, appoint a treasurer, pay 
their own minister, take and fix upon any Sunday 
still unoccupied and generally do all such things as 
they may deem needful and expedient. 

In accordance with this agreement, Rev. John W. 
Richards was invited to preach, and a call was ex- 
tended to, and accepted by, him. His introductory ser- 
mon was preached on Whitsunday, May 18, 1834. 

At a meeting of the members who desired English 
services, held May 24th, the following persons were 
chosen vestrymen : Elders, Daniel Steinmetz, Joseph 
Missimer, John Neiman, George Richards ; Trustees, 
Charles F. Rapp, Charles H. Fritz, Bartholomew 
Wamback, Nathaniel Missimer ; Deacons, Joseph Nei- 
man, George Smale. Jonas Yocum, Joshua T. Missi- 
mer. At the same time George Richards, Esq., was 
appointed secretary and treasurer. These officers were 
installed July 13, 1834. 

This was the beginning of the organized English 
Lutheran Church in Pottstown, which organization by 
an act of incorporation became on October 22, 1859, 
"The English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the 
Transfiguration." The Church of the Transfiguration 
was the first Lutheran church in Pottstown to take a 
specific name and secure its own building, and thus 
become entirely separate from all union connection. 
Up to this time the building in which both the Luth- 
erans and the Reformed worshipped was simply called 
the Old Brick Church. It was not until May, 1871, 
that the Lutherans who remained with the union 
church sold thdir interest in the old brick church to 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 165 

the Reformed and by an act of incorporation took the 
name Emmanuel and built their own church. 

The first pastor of the English congregation served 
it only about two years, Rev. Mr. Richards having ac- 
cepted a call to Germantown, preached his farewell 
sermon April 1, 1836, when his successor at the 
Trappe, Rev. Jacob Wampole, was invited to preach, 
which he did April 17, 1836, was called as pastor May 
14th, and preached his introductory sermon June 14, 
1836. After the death of Rev. Mr. Wampole, Janu- 
ary 3, 1838, Rev. Henry S. Miller was elected pastor 
in April, 1838, and at once took charge, and remained 
in charge until August 20, 1848. 

During this whole period services were held once a 
month, an annual communion was administered in the 
English congregation until 1842, when it began to be 
administered twice a year. There was also an annual 
English harvest festival. The salary of the pastor 
was $100 per annum. A class of catechumens was in- 
structed and confirmed each year. 

In the summer of 1848, Rev. Conrad Miller, who 
was pastor of the German congregation, transferred 
the German interests to his nephew, Rev. George F. 
Miller, who had become pastor of the English congre- 
gation upon the resignation of Rev. Henry S. Miller, 
which occurred in August, 1848, and this arrangement 
continued until the completion of the new Church of 
the Transfiguration. On February 14, 1859, a meeting 
was called by the English congregation to consider the 
question of undertaking the erection of a church. It 
was unanimously resolved upon, and a subscription 
opened. February 26th a committee to collect sub- 

1G 



166 JUBILEE VOLUME 

scriptions, a building committee and one to prepare a 
constitution and form of incorporation were ap- 
pointed. 

Plans were secured, and the building of the church 
was awarded to James S. Fillman on May 15, 1859; 
the location of the new church being on the southwest 
corner of Hanover and Chestnut Streets. 

The building committee were James Rittenhouse, 
George Missimer, James Missimer, Joseph Mintzer, 
Henry Hartman, Jonas Smith and William A. Van 
Buskirk. Jonas Smith was elected treasurer. The 
corner-stone was laid August 5, 1859, and the church 
was consecrated February 16, 1861, at which time a 
sermon was delivered by Rev. Joseph A. Seiss, D.D., 
which was published. 

The cost of the new church was $12,050. The char- 
ter was approved by the congregation on October 22, 
1859, filed in open court November 25th, and publica- 
tion ordered. Some remonstrances against its being 
granted were heard by the Court, and an addition 
made to the charter, when it was granted on March 
17, 1860. The complete organization of the congrega- 
tion under the new charter was made March 24, 1860. 
In 1864 the Minister ium met in the Church of the 
Transfiguration and at this meeting it was resolved to 
establish a theological seminary in Philadelphia. 

Rev. George F. Miller continued as pastor with the 
English congregation, and soon after its transfer to 
the new church, he resigned the care of the German 
congregation, which remained in the old church. Rev. 
Miller remained pastor of the Church of the Trans- 
figuration until the spring of 1868. He was succeed- 




TRANSFIGURATION, POTTSTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 167 

ed by Rev. George W. Schmucker, who took charge in 
June, 1868, and served until compelled by failure of 
health, to cease his labors as pastor in the fall of 1870. 

In June, 1871, Rev. Charles Koerner became pas- 
tor and remained until the end of 1880. The Rev. B. 
M. Schmucker, D.D., succeeded Rev. Mr. Koerner 
and took charge of the congregation on the first Sun- 
day after Easter, 1881, continuing as pastor until 
October 15, 1888, when death suddenly claimed him. 

The Rev. O. P. Smith, D.D., was elected pastor Feb- 
ruary 9, 1889, and installed May 5, 1889, by Rev. D. 
K. Kepner, president of the First District Conference. 
The installation sermon on this occasion was preached 
by Rev. Prof. M. H. Richards, D.D., at the morning 
service, and Dr. Smith preached his introductory ser- 
mon at the evening service. Dr. Smith served the con- 
gregation for 22 years. His was the longest pastorate 
in the history of the congregation. The next longest 
term was that of the Rev. George F. Miller, who con- 
tinued as pastor 20 years. After a lingering illness, 
during which time Rev. W. D. C. Keiter, D.D., sup- 
plied the pulpit, Dr. Smith fell asleep on October 15, 
1911. 

During Dr. Smith's pastorate many changes and im- 
provements were made in the church building at a con- 
siderable outlay. In 1896 the auditorium was com- 
pletely renovated at a cost, including the numerous 
costly memorial gifts, of about $13,000. The congre- 
gation during this time also came into possession of a 
very fine parsonage built just opposite the church on 
Hanover street. It was the gift of two of the mem- 
bers and is known as the "Fritz and Saylor Memorial 



168 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Parsonage." The congregation bought the land, and 
the building cost $10,000. 

The congregation has at present no encumbering 
debt and has the following legacies in the form of en- 
dowment : 

Lucinda Rittenhouse legacy $ 700 00 

Ephraim Fritz legacy 2,500 00 

Elizabeth Stough legacy 100 00 

Henry H. Minnich legacy 5,000 00 

Annie Rittenhouse Evans legacy 1,000 00 

Albert G. Saylor legacy 1,000 00 

Mary A. Saylor legacy 100 00 

$10,400 03 
On May 18, 1909, the congregation celebrated its 
50th anniversary under the present charter. The Rev. 
Andrew S. Fichthorn, D.D., preached the morning ser- 
mon, and Dr. Smith, the pastor, gave an historical 
sketch of the congregation, and in the evening Rev. 
Prof. Jacob Fry, D.D., preached the sermon. At this 
time Dr. Smith published an historical souvenir and 
directory of the congregation and from this has been 
gathered much of the material of this article. 

The present pastor, Rev. H. F. J. Seneker, was 
elected on March 16, 1912, and installed June 9, 1912, 
by the Rev. C. C. Snyder, president of the Norristown 
Conference. On this occasion the Rev. W. D. C. Kei- 
ter, D.D., delivered the charge to the people and the 
Rev. Geo. W. Sandt, D.D., addressed his message to 
the pastor, and in the evening the pastor preached his 
introductory sermon. During the four years of his 
ministry the congregation has continued to grow and 
a number of improvements have been made to the 
church property. In 1913 Peter L. Egolf, a member 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 169 

of the congregation, at his own expense, re-decorated 
the main auditorium and halls at considerable expense. 
The basement of the Sunday-school room was recent- 
ly enlarged and cemented and an entrance made on 
Chestnut Street. The Sunday-school room has been 
greatly improved by the placing of a metal ceiling, in- 
troducing electric lights and a new Brussels carpet. 
The exterior and interior of the church and parsonage 
has been re-painted and the parsonage re-papered 
throughout, the cost of these improvements being sev- 
eral thousand dollars. The congregation now has 524 
members, and is keeping its members actively engaged 
in all of the benevolent operations of the Synod and 
General Council. Only recently the members g2ve 
$3,433 to the General Education Fund, $1,458 being in 
cash. The yearly benevolent work of the congregation 
amounts to at least $1,000. 

Transfiguration, like the eagle, continually renews 
her youth, and with the prestige of years back of her, 
with a noble spirit within her, with glorious possibil- 
ities before her, she should move forward, conquering 
and to conquer, until the Church Militant merges into 
the Church Triumphant. 



ST. JOHN'S, QUAKERTOWN 



ST. JOHN'S Evangelical Lutheran congregation 
of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, was organized in 
the fall of 1860 by the Rev. F. Berkemeyer, 
who was at that time the pastor of the Flat- 
land, Keller's, Hilltown, Leidy's and Ridge Road con- 
gregations. St. John's remained a part of this large 
parish until in 1867, when Pastor Berkemeyer, on ac- 
count of his many duties, relinquished the pastorate of 
this congregation. A new parish, consisting of St. 
John's, Quakertown; St. Matthew's, Keller's Church 
and St. Paul's, Applebachsville, was formed in 1870, 
and remained such until 1895. 

On September 24, 1895, the congregation resolved 
to become a separate parish. The matter was laid be- 
fore the joint councils of the parish, which met in Kel- 
ler's Church, September 28, 1895. The separation was 
referred to Conference and, at its fall meeting in 1895, 
St. John's was constituted a separate parish. 

About the same time the Lutheran congregation was 
organized, a Reformed congregation was also organ- 
ized. The two congregations united in the erection of a 
church building. The work was promptly begun in 
the fall of 1860, but owing to the lack of funds only 
the basement of the building was finished. This part 
was dedicated April 7, 1861. The church building was 
completed in 1865 and dedicated in December of the 
same year. In 1870 the first pipe organ, costing nine 
hundred dollars, was installed. It was built by Mr. 
Charles F. Durner, of Quakertown, Pa., a member of 
St. John's Lutheran congregation. 

170 




ST. JOHN'S, QUAKERTOWN 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 171 

The Lutheran and Reformed congregations hitherto 
holding joint ownership in St. John's decided in 1893 
to separate. On January 7, 1893, the Lutheran con- 
gregation voted on the question of separation and 
adopted the resolution by a large majority. They of- 
fered to sell their share in the property for three thou- 
sand dollars, or to buy the share of the Reformed con- 
gregation at the same price, or to put the property on 
sale to be sold to the highest bidder. On the 12th of 
February, 1893, the Reformed congregation resolved 
to sell their part of the property for the amount speci- 
fied and the sale was consummated on March 15, 
1893. 

Since the separation extensive improvements have 
been made on the property. In the fall of 1899 improve- 
ments costing three thousand dollars were made. 
These included a sixteen-foot annex, a modern heat- 
ing plant, new and more comfortable pews, and art 
glass windows. The old organ was replaced in 1908 
by a new and larger one costing three thousand dol- 
lars. This organ was built also by Mr. Charles F. 
Burner, the builder of the first organ installed in St. 
John's. Again in 1910, in commemoration of the fif- 
tieth anniversary of the founding of the congregation, 
the church was newly painted and frescoed and other- 
wise renovated. 

Ground was broken for a new parsonage October 
13, 1915, and was occupied by the present pastor on 
April 25, 1916. The house is forty feet front by 
thirty-one feet deep and is built of hollow tile and 
brick. It is complete in every respect, having the im- 
provements and comforts of a modern home. The in- 



172 JUBILEE VOLUME 

side finish is of white enamel and mahogany. Some of 
the features of the house are hardwood polished 
floors, a hot water heating plant, enameled combina- 
tion range, tiled bath-room and a twelve- foot porch 
along the entire front of the house. The total cost of 
the parsonage was upward of six thousand dollars. 

The Rev. F. Berkemeyer, who organized the con- 
gregation, was pastor until 1867. 

The Rev. George M. Lazarus became pastor of the 
parish, of which St. John's was then a part, on August 
21, 1867, and served it faithfully and well until Janu- 
ary 31, 1874, when he met a tragic death. On his way 
to a funeral appointment his horse became frightened 
and threw him out of his vehicle and he was instantly 
killed. While pastor of St. John's, Rev. Lazarus was 
deeply interested in education. To afford better edu- 
cational facilities than the community afforded at the 
time, he organized an academy and conducted it in 
the basement of the church for two years. His ex- 
perience in this venture gave him much practical 
knowledge concerning educational affairs and his ad- 
vice was frequently sought on matters of education. 
He also served on the board of education and later be- 
came district superintendent. 

Rev. J. F. Ohl succeeded Rev. Lazarus in June, 
1876. This pastorate, the longest of any pastor of St. 
John's, terminated October 15, 1893, six months after 
the separation of the Lutheran and Reformed congre- 
gations. During this 'long and successful pastorate the 
congregation grew rapidly and developed into a well 
indoctrinated and conservative Lutheran body. While 
steps toward the separation of the union Sunday- 









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: 


I 



PARSONAGE, QUAKERTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 173 

school were taken by Rev. Lazarus, the final separ- 
ation was effected during Pastor Ohl's pastorate. 

The Rev. George C. Gardner was then selected pas- 
tor of Keller's, Applebachsville and St. John's congre- 
gations. He was installed December 10, 1893, by the 
Rev. G. F. Spieker, D.D., then of Allentown, Pa. Rev. 
G. F. Gardner, father of Pastor Gardner, was also 
present and preached at the installation services. It 
was during this pastorate that St. John's became a 
separate and self-sustaining congregation. Rev. Gard- 
ner died May 25, 1899. 

Rev. Franklin K. Fretz served St. John's from June 
1, 1900, to January 31, 1905. Rev. Frank M. Urich, 
from the spring of 1905 to August 31, 1912. Rev. 
Peter N. Wohlsen, from May 1, 1913, to September, 
1914. 

Rev. Harry W. Fitting, the present pastor, became 
pastor of St. John's on May 1, 1915, and was install- 
ed on the 23rd of the same month by Rev. Warren 
Nickel, president of our conference. 



TRINITY, QUAKERTOWN 



ALREADY before Rev. D. H. Reiter, who organ- 
ized this congregation, became the pastor of the 
Richlandtown parish, in August, 1881, many felt the 
need of a Lutheran church in Quakertown on the east 
side of the railroad. After Christ's Church, of Trum- 
bauersville, became a part of the Richlandtown parish 
the number of Lutherans who lived at Quakertown 
and were members either of St. John's, Richlandtown, 
or Christ's, Trumbauersville, was largely increased 
and the movement to provide for the spiritual wants 
of these people received a new impetus. Various at- 
tempts were made between 1883 and 1890, but it seem- 
ed the project was not ripe. 

During the season of Lent in the spring of 1890 
the pastor, in connection with the members of the 
Church Councils of St. John's, Richlandtown, and 
Christ's, Trumbauersville, arranged to hold a number 
of Lenten services in that part of Quakertown 
where our people live and which is known as Richland 
Center, or the Station. The first of these services was 
held in Shive's Hall on March 16, 1890, in the after- 
noon in the German language and in the evening in 
English. The attendance at the evening service was two 
hundred and nineteen. Before the third Sunday ar- 
rangements were made to hold these services in Citi- 
zen's Hall. The interest in these services was so great 
and the desire to have them continued so evident that 
as a result the following preamble and resolutions 
were adopted at a meeting held by the Church Coun- 

174 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 175 

cils, constituting the Richlandtown parish, held in Em- 
manuel's Church, Franconia, Pa., on April 4, 1890: 

Whereas, About 140 of the members of St. John's 
congregation of Richlandtown and of Christ's, Trum- 
bauersville, live at, or near, Richland Center, and, 

Whereas, By far the larger number of these have 
no conveyance of their own, and consequently attend 
services very irregularly, being present very seldom 
except at the communion ; and, 

Whereas, The interest of the Evangelical Luth- 
eran Church at Richland Center, under existing cir- 
cumstances, will suffer if permitted to continue; and, 

Whereas, There is no place of public worship or 
Sunday-school of any kind at Richland Center, where 
so many of our people live ; and, 

Whereas, Our people are very desirous that ar- 
rangements be made by which their religious interest 
may the better be cared for. 

Therefore be it Resolved, That we, the Church 
Councils of the foregoing named congregations, in our 
regular annual meeting assembled, appoint a commit- 
tee of three (3), the pastor, Wm. Loux, of St. John's, 
and Mahlon C. Detweiler, of Christ's, who, in con- 
nection with four others, two from each congregation 
to be appointed by the above named three, all of them 
to be living at, or near, Richland Center, shall consti- 
tute an executive committee, whose duty it shall be to 
establish a preaching place and organize a Sunday- 
school at the above named place, make all necessary 
arrangements and exercise a general supervision over 
the same. In accordance with the above resolutions, 
the committee of three met and completed the same by 



176 JUBILEE VOLUME 

adding A. B. Walp and Jacob L. Horn, of St. John's; 
Aaron C. Detweiler and Henry Hoffman, of Christ's 
Church. The committee organized elected Rev. D. H. 
Reiter, chairman ; Mr. A. B. Walp, secretary, and 
Wm. Loux, treasurer. 

About this time it became evident that arrangements 
had to be made to secure a permanent home, and it 
was decided to erect a building suitable for public ser- 
vice and Sunday-school purposes. The committee rec- 
ommended the purchasing of a lot and the erection of 
a suitable building. This report was endorsed. A lot 
of 100 feet frontage was purchased on North Heller- 
town Avenue from Mr. A. Y. Nicholas for $900. Mr. 
M. B. Bean, of Lansdale, was employed as architect. 
The corner-stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, June 
21, 1891, in the presence of a large concourse of peo- 
ple. Addresses were delivered in the afternoon by 
Revs. F. Berkemeyer, Becker and Waidelich. Rev. 
O. F. Waage preached in the evening. At the fall ses- 
sion of the First District Conference, held in Septem- 
ber, 1891, in Spring City, the people of Richland Cen- 
ter petitioned Conference to be permitted to organize 
a congregation. This petition was endorsed by the 
Church Councils of St. John's, Richlandtown, and 
Christ's, Trumbauersville, of which congregations all 
those interested in this movement were members. This 
request was granted. On Saturday, October 31, 1891 
(Reformation Day) a meeting was held in the lecture 
room of the new church for the purpose of organiz- 
ing a congregation. The charter recommended by the 
Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania 
and Adjacent States, and the constitution in force at 




TRINITY, QUAKERTOWN 



XORRISTOWX COXFEREXCE 177 

St. John's, Richlandtown, Pa., which is based on the 
one recommended by the General Council, were unan- 
imously adopted. The following persons were elect- 
ed to constitute the first Church Council : Messrs. J. D. 
K. Reinhart, A. B. Walp, Wm. Loux, M. C. Det- 
weiler. M. S. Biehn and Aaron Steiner. Rev. D. H. 
Reiter was elected pastor. The pastor is a member of 
the council and, ex-officio, is presiding officer. Trin- 
ity Lutheran Church was opened for use by the con- 
gregation with suitable services beginning on Saturday 
evening, November 7, 1891, and was continued 
throughout the following Sunday. Rev. A. R. Home, 
of Allentown, preached on Saturday evening in the 
German language. On Sunday, at the morning service, 
Rev. J. L. Sibole, of St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia, 
a classmate of Rev. D. H. Reiter, preached in the Eng- 
lish language. He was assisted in the services by the 
pastor, who aided in the ceremonies of the day. In 
the afternoon Rev. F. Berkemeyer, of Sellersville, 
preached in the German language. Rev. J. H. YVaide- 
lich, of Sellersville, preached in the evening in ihe 
English language. At the winter session of Confer- 
ence, held in St. Peter's Church, West Philadelphia 
Trinity congregation was received into connection 
with the Synod of Pennsylvania and made a part of 
Richlandtown parish. 

Sunday, May 28, 1893, was a day long to be held in 
loving remembrance by the members of Trinity Luth- 
eran congregation of Quakertown. It was the occa- 
sion when their beautiful church was dedicated to the 
service of the Triune God. 



178 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Revs. W. Wackernagel, D.D., of Allentown ; J. 
Kohler, D.D., of New Holland; D. K. Kepner, of 
Pottstown; O. P. Smith, of Pottstown; J. L. Becker, 
of Lansdale; F. Walz, of Sellersville ; J. N. Wetzler, 
of Beavertown, and O. F. Waage, of Pennsburg, as- 
sisted the pastor, Rev. D. H. Reiter, in the interesting 
services connected with the dedicatory ceremonies. On 
Monday, June 24, 1901, the new hell for Trinity 
Church was put in place, and on June 25th, the anni- 
versary of the Augsburg Confession, the bell was rung 
for the first time. The dedicatory services took place 
on Sunday, June 30th. The pastor was assisted by 
Rev. N. F. Schmidt, president of Conference; Revs. 
F. K. Fretz, R. B. Lynch and Warren Nickel. 

On Sunday, Sept. 17, 1905, the organ built by C. F. 
Durner was consecrated. The pastor was assisted by 
Revs. Ochsenford, D.D., of Muhlenberg College ; W. 
W. Kistler, of Coopersburg; P. A. Laury, of Per- 
kasie, and J. F. Ohl, of Philadelphia, Pa. 

Rev. D. H. Reiter served Trinity congregation as 
its pastor until the fall of 1911. In April, 1912, Rev. 
C. C. Snyder assumed the pastorate of Trinity congre- 
gation and served until ill health constrained him to 
resign in the summer of 1916. In November the con- 
gregation elected the Rev. N. B. Yerger, of Mount- 
ville, Pa., who entered upon his labors in January, 
1917. 




Rev. C. E. Keim 



Rev. W. U. Kistler 



ST. PAUL'S, (six cornered) RED HILL 



ST. PAUL'S Evangelical Lutheran congregation, 
located in Upper Hanover Township, Montgom- 
ery County, Pa., in a district popularly called New 
Goshenhoppen, is one of the oldest Christian congre- 
gations in this state. 

The exact date of its organization is unknown, ow- 
ing to the fact that the historical records of these early 
churches were not faithfully kept. Certain it is, how- 
ever, that a congregation was formally organized some 
time between the years of 1730 and 1740. In the first 
record-book of the church, baptismal entries were 
made as early as 1736. From 1739 we have a pretty 
full and systematic record of the current events of the 
congregation. 

This church, it seems, had its origin in a cemetery. 
There is a most reliable tradition that a man named 
John Henry Sproegel owned 13,000 acres of land in 
this part of the state, and that in passing a home one 
day where a death had occurred the family and neigh- 
bors were perplexed, not knowing where to bury the 
dead. Mr. Sproegel led the way and showed them a 
plot of ground of six acres, which he donated to the 
Lutheran, Reformed and Mennonite denominations 
for church and cemetery purposes. On this ground 
the Reformed Church near East Greenville has been 
located from its beginning, and likely the Lutherans 
first settled there and worshipped with them in the 
first Reformed church building. We have records that 
later the Lutherans sold their two acres to the Re- 

179 



180 JUBILEE VOLUME 

formed and moved east of Pennsburg and Red Hill, 
where they have worshipped ever since. 

In the year 1750 the Lutheran congregation erected 
its first church building in the present location. It 
must have been primitive and simple in every way. 
Nothing is left on the records as to its size and shape, 
only as to the material used. It was built of logs. 

For the space of 53 years, this humble house of 
worship answered all purposes. In the year 1803 the 
original six-cornered church was erected. This sec- 
ond building was a substantial and for those times a 
grandly beautiful structure, composed of brown, na- 
tive stone walled up in regular line and range. Tradi- 
tion tells us that after its completion it was a great at- 
traction for people from a great distance. The popu- 
lar name six-cornered, by which it was known during 
its entire history, came about in this manner : Rev. F. 
W. Geissenhainer, the pastor at that time, on request 
of his Church Council to furnish plans for a new 
building, presented one plan with four corners, the 
usual design at that time ; and one with six corners, 
the two extra and unusual corners forming a large 
and high pulpit and organ recess. In this plan the 
organ loft was above and back of the pulpit. Fifteen 
members voted for the four corner plan, and twenty- 
eight for the other, which was adopted by a majority 
of thirteen votes. 

In the year 1861 a fine tower was added to the 
church, and a large bell put therein to call the living 
to their worship and to announce the departure of the 
dead. 



- 




( 

i ; 

4 






II 






Jkk 




ff Jmriif '* 



ORIGINAL SIX-CORNERED CHURCH 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 181 

Iii the year 1877, after serving its purpose 74 years, 
and becoming more or less inconvenient for the needs 
of the congregation, this church was removed and 
gave place to another very fine and more modern 
structure. This, the third building, was fitted out 
with a basement and all necessary conveniences for 
Sunday-school purposes. This arrangement the old 
church lacked, and this fact was one of the strongest 
grounds why its removal was decided. In the year 
1869 the first Sunday-school in the history of the con- 
gregation had been organized by its present pastor, 
Rev. O. F. Waage. From this statement the conclu- 
sion must not be drawn that the congregation had neg- 
lected the religious instruction of its children before it 
had a Sunday-school. From its origin -a parochial 
school had been maintained, until the free school sys- 
tem by the state took its place. Indeed a parochial 
school-house stood on this site before a church was 
erected. In this school-house regular divine services 
were held for some years before the first church was 
•built in 1750. In those days the organist was the 
parochial school teacher. 

On the first day of December, 1895, eighteen years 
after its erection, this third church building, owing to 
some defect in the heating apparatus, was totally de- 
stroyed by fire. With the exception of two Sunday- 
school organs and a few other articles, everything 
connected with the church was consumed by the 
flames. The entire loss was not less than twenty 
thousand dollars, only one-half of which was covered 
by insurance. This was a great shock and loss to the 
congregation. But with renewed energy and courage 



182 JUBILEE VOLUME 

it went to work to re-build, and in 1896 the present 
grand sanctuary was erected, than which no finer 
house of God can be found in these parts. The entire 
cost of this present, fourth church, including organ, 
bell, steam heating plant and all necessary furnishings, 
amounted to $2 1,000. About five years ago an elec- 
tric light plant was put into the church. 

After using the present beautiful church twenty 
years, repairs and renewals became necessary. There- 
fore during the summer of 1916 the main audience 
room was re-frescoed, the woodwork re-varnished, the 
floors newly carpeted and other minor changes made, 
all amounting to about two thousand dollars. The re- 
newed church was re-dedicated on Sunday, October 
22, 1916, with appropriate services, at which a large 
number of neighboring clergymen participated. 

At present, in 1916, the congregation numbers a 
thousand members, having nearly trebled under its 
present pastor, and is in a healthful and flourishing 
condition in every way, having all the modern church 
facilities and societies, such as Ladies' Aid and Mis- 
sionary Societies, Luther League, Teacher Training 
Class, etc. Am glad to add that in this congregation 
the women members have a right to vote. 

The future of St. Paul's, under God's blessings, 
should indeed be a bright and useful one. When the 
present pastor took hold of the Master's vineyard, all 
the services in this church were German. This was in 
1868. Today two-thirds of all the public services are 
in English. All the catechetical instruction is English. 
There is not a German class in the Sunday-school to- 
day. 




ST. PAUL'S, RED HILL 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 183 

PASTORS OF ST. PAUl/s CHURCH 

The following pastors served this congregation : 

1. John Jacob Justus Birkenstock, from 1739 to 
1743. He had been the parochial school teacher prior 
to his ordination. 

2. John Conrad Andrea, from 1743 to 1752. He 
built the first and log church in 1750. 

3. Frederick Schultz, from 1752 to 1756. 

4. Frederick Reis, from 1756 to 1764. In this lat- 
ter year he died, aged 49 years, and his grave can be 
seen on the old cemetery near the church. 

5. George Frederick Niemeyer, from 1764 to 1771.* 

6. Conrad Sebastian Roeller, from 1771 to 1775. 
Some of his descendants are still living in these parts. 

7. John Schwarbach, from 1775 to 1789. 

8. Charles B. Dannapfel, from 1789 to 1790. 

9. Christian Espich, from 1790 to 1793. Under 
him the congregation was legally incorporated in 1792. 

10. Frederick Wilhelm Geissenhainer, St., from 
1793 to 1808. This pastor was one of the ablest and 
most learned men in the Lutheran Church, and his ser- 
vices in St. Paul's were signally blessed. Under him 
the celebrated and so-called six-cornered church was 
built in 1803. 

11. Jacob Miller, from 1808 to 1829. He was a 
son of the congregation, read theology under Rev. 
Geissenhainer, married his daughter and became his 
successor. The Miller families in this vicinity are rela- 
tives of this prominent minister. 

12. Frederick Waage, from 1829 to 1868. His pas- 
torate was longer than that of any of his predecessors. 

18 



184 



JUBILEE VOLUME 



He is well remembered today 'by many of the older 
members. He was known as a very learned man and 
one of the best pulpit orators of his day. In 1884 he 
entered into rest, aged 87 years, and his burial took 
place on the old cemetery. 

13. Oswin F. Waage, from 1868 to the present 
time. He is the son of his predecessor, Rev. F. 
Waage, and the second son of the congregation who 
became its pastor, Rev. Jacob Miller being the first 
one. All the other pastors were imported from Ger- 
many. In writing the history of this church, it is sig- 
nificant that the Revs. Waage, father and son, cover 
nearly a century of its history, Father Waage 40 
years, and his son, the present pastor, Rev. O. F. 
Waage, 48 years. It is the present pastor's wish and 
prayer, if God's will, to round out the 50 years. 

The following Lutheran ministers of the Gospel 
have come from this church, viz., Rev. Jacob Miller, 
Rev. Conrad Miller, Rev. O. F. Waage, the present 
pastor ; Rev. Elmer F. Krauss, D.D., grandson of Rev. 
F. Waage, president and professor at the Lutheran 
Theological Seminary at Chicago, 111. ; Rev. Elmer E. 
Schantz, Rev. Jonas K. Trumbauer, Rev. W. Frank 
Hersh and Rev. Rufus E. Kern. Five of these enter- 
ed the ministry under the present pastorate. When 
the present pastor, Rev. O. F. Waage, took charge of 
this church, it was connected with four other congre- 
gations forming a parish of five congregations. The 
other four were the Lutheran churches at Niantic, 
Ridge Valley, Trumbauersville and Spinnerstown. 
Rev. Waage served this large parish six years, and 
then he resigned the most inconvenient one, Ridge 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 185 

Valley. He served the other four until he had preach- 
ed to them fifteen years. Then his health failed, mak- 
ing it necessary to resign Niantic and Trumbauers- 
ville. He served the remaining two churches 'until he 
had preached thirty-six years in Spinnerstown, when 
he resigned that church. And now for twelve years 
St. Paul's, the subject of this sketch, supports and sus- 
tains its pastor alone, thus giving him all his time to 
serve and work for its best interests. St. Paul's is to- 
day in a most prosperous and growing condition, 
thanks to God's grace and mercy. And to him be all 
glory and praise, world without end. 



ST. JOHN'S, RICHLANDTOWN 



WE do not know a great deal of the early his- 
tory of this congregation, due to the fact 
that the pastors of those days did not keep a regular 
church record. If they kept any record at all, it was a 
private one, not transmitted to us. To the older mem- 
bers of the congregation Ave are, therefore, chiefly in- 
debted for the information we have of the deep-felt 
want for a convenient place of worship ; of the deter- 
mination of the fathers to erect a church in their 
midst, and of the blessed results which crowned their 
efforts. From this source we learn that the congrega- 
tion was organized and the first church building erect- 
ed in the year A. D. 1808. Previous to this, religious 
services were conducted at irregular intervals at vari- 
ous places, chiefly, as we are informed in a history of 
Frieden's Lutheran Church at the Tohickon, by Rev. 



186 JUBILEE VOLUME 

George Roeller, pastor of said congregation. A ceme- 
tery was laid out on the farm of Michael Croman. The 
funeral services were conducted in the barn of Mr. 
Croman, the threshing-floor serving as an auditorium. 
Late in the year 1806, or early in the year 1807, 
steps were taken to erect a church at Richlandtown, 
or Flatland, as the place was then known. Stones were 
quarried in the township of East Rockhill; a mason 
and also a master carpenter were engaged, and it was 
decided to begin building operations early in the fol- 
lowing spring, and to complete and dedicate the build- 
ing before winter would set in. But tradition informs 
us that the spring of 1807 was very late, and that on 
that account building operations were delayed. The 
farmers were too busy in putting out their crops, and 
consequently no one could be secured to haul the 
stones from East Rockhill to the place where the 
church was to be erected. The masons were ready to 
begin work, but there was no material on hand. This 
condition of affairs continued into the midst of the 
harvest season, when an incident occurred which 
awakened a new zeal in the erection of the church. It 
was in those good old times when the sickle played 
such an important part, and when the reaper and even 
the cradle were unknown, that a large number of men 
and women were enjoying their Neun-Uhr-stueck un- 
der a spreading oak. They were, as the custom was, 
discussing various subjects, and among others the ser- 
vices in God's House on the coming Lord's Day. 
They lamented the fact that after a week of hard 
work in the harvest field, they had to go all the way, 
either to Trumbauersville, Tohickon or Springfield to 



XORRISTOWX CONFERENCE 187 

attend divine services, and also the fact that the new 
church, which they had expected to be under roof be- 
fore this time, was not even commenced ; all due to the 
fact that the farmers had been too busy to haul the 
stones. It was then and there decided to go to work 
at once, and the question was asked by some one of 
the party, "Who will haul the FIRST load of stones?" 
"I !*' "I !"' exclaimed a number of eager voices. Mr. 
Philip Wimmer, however, was determined to claim 
the honor, and consequently he got up at midnight, 
procured a load of stones, and hauled them to the 
place selected for the church. While Mr. Wimmer was 
unloading his load of stones, two others came with two 
more loads. The work of erecting the first Lutheran 
and Reformed Church at Richlandtown was now fully 
begun, and before the first fall of snow the walls were 
put up, and the building was under roof. This build- 
ing was of stone, and was forty feet long and thirty- 
five feet wide, with galleries on three sides. The pulpit 
was in the shape of a wine goblet, a design very popu- 
lar in those days. The wood-work was extensively 
carved. The carving was done by the different car- 
penters during the winter in their respective homes, 
and in the spring the smaller pieces carried to the 
church in bushel baskets and put in place. The pews 
were closely set, so that all the space was utilized, and 
the church, for its size, seated a large number of peo- 
ple. The church was completed and dedicated some time 
during the summer of the year 1808. Henry Stabler 
was the contractor and received $1,200. The congre- 
gation furnished all the building material. This edi- 
fice was the spiritual home of the congregation, which 



188 JUBILEE VOLUME 

was organized about the same time, for a period of 
fifty-one years. 

At the close of this period the congregations decided 
to erect a larger and a more commodious building. 
This was not only done because the building was too 
small for special occasions, but also and especially be- 
cause the fathers felt that they owed it, not only to 
themselves, but also to their children, and especially 
to Almighty God, to erect a building more fitting and 
more in accordance with the spirit of the age in which 
to worship the Triune God. Consequently the present 
brick church, sixty-three feet long and forty-two feet 
wide, was erected in the year A. D. 1859. The corner- 
stone of this building was laid in the spring of the 
year A. D. 1859. Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, of the Lu- 
theran Church, and Rev. Kessler, of the Reformed 
Church, preached the sermons. The Lutheran pastor, 
Rev. William B. Kemmerer, and the Reformed pastor, 
Rev. Samuel Hess, had charge of the services. This 
church was dedicated November 5, 6 and 7, A. D. 1859. 
Rev. Joshua Yeager, of the Lutheran Church, and 
Rev. Joseph Dubbs, of the Reformed Church, preach- 
ed the dedicatory sermons. Other pastors took part in 
the services, but Rev. William B. Kemmerer, who had 
been the pastor of this congregation for a period of 
thirty-nine years, on account of a prolonged sickness 
was unable to take part in these interesting services. 
Enock Biehn, George Walp and Charles Wolf were 
the Lutheran members of the building committee. 

In the year A. D. 1870 a large and beautiful pipe 
organ, built by C F. Durner, of Quakertown, Pa., and 
costing almost two thousand dollars, was placed in the 



k 


4 
if 

j 1 



ST. JOHN'S, RICHXANDTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 189 

church. Rev. William Rath, of Allentown, Pa., pas- 
tor of the Blue Church, preached the consecration ser- 
mon. 

The 400th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther's birth, 
which was observed throughout the Lutheran Church 
in 1883, was observed in this congregation in the 
month of November of that year, and although it was 
held on a week-day, the church was filled both at the 
morning and at the evening service. The church was 
beautifully decorated with flowers. On an arch over- 
spanning the pulpit -were placed the ever-memorable 
words of Luther : ''Here I stand ; I cannot do other- 
wise, God be my help. Amen." Rev. Leonard Groh, 
a former pastor of the congregation, preached in the 
morning, and Rev. J. L. Becker in the evening. 

The 75th anniversary of the congregation and the 
25th of the erection of the present church building was 
observed on November 2, 1884. Rev. Benjamin Sad- 
ler, D.D., president of Muhlenberg College, preached 
in the morning on the text Psalm 27 :4, and Rev. A. R. 
Home in the evening, who spoke on the changes which 
had taken place, especially in the Lutheran Church, 
during the last twenty-five years. 

The 25th anniversary of the ordination of the pas- 
tor, and of his pastorate was duly observed on October 
21, 1906. The pastor preached in the morning on the 
text 1 Corinthians 4:1-4. At this service a re-union of 
those confirmed during the twenty-five years was held. 
These occupied the lower part of the church, and 
formed an interesting audience, being composed of 
young and old, and all were reminded of their confir- 
mation by the singing of some of the old confirmation 



190 JUBILEE VOLUME 

hymns. Rev. P. A. Laury, of Perkasie, and Rev. J. 
H. Waidelich, of Sellersville, preached in the after- 
noon, and Rev. J. L. Becker, of Lansdale, in the even- 
ing. The church was filled at all of these services in 
spite of an exceedingly rainy day. 

The one hundredth anniversary of the congregations 
was observed from June 6 to 14, 1908. The Lutheran 
congregation had charge of the following services : On 
Saturday evening, which was the initial service held 
under the auspices of the Luther League, Rev. F. M. 
Urich, of St. John's Church, Quakertown, delivered 
the address ; on Sunday afternoon the Rev. S. E. Och- 
senf ord, D.D., of Muhlenberg College, preached on the 
text, Isaiah 54 :2, 3 ; on Monday evening, at the ser- 
vices under the auspices of the Women's Guild, the 
Rev. C. C. Snyder, of Dublin, spoke; on Sunday 
morning the Rev. G. F. Spieker, D.D., of the Theo- 
logical Seminary at Mt. Airy, preached on the text, 
Psalm 77:6, and on Sunday evening the Rev. I. B. 
Kurtz, of Pottstown, Pa., president of the Conference, 
on the text, Prov. 22 :28. The services on Thursday 
evening were union services under the auspices of the 
Sunday-school, Rev. Warren Nickel, of Applebachs- 
ville, and Rev. Rufus W. Miller, D.D., of Philadel- 
phia, delivered addresses. The services on the first 
Sunday morning and evening, Tuesday evening, the 
second Saturday evening and the second Sunday after- 
noon were in charge of the Reformed congregation. 
Favorable weather and interesting programs attracted 
large audiences to all of these services. 

The congregation was served by the following pas- 
tors, and for the following periods of time: Rev. 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 191 

George Roeller, from 1808-1818; Rev. Frederick 
Waage, from 1818-1820; Rev. William B. Kemmerer, 
from 1820-1860; Rev. Ferdinand Berkemeyer, from 
1860-1862; Rev. Edwin Sell,, from 1862-1864; Rev. 
Leonard Groh, from 1864-1866; Rev. Reuben R. Kist- 
ler, from 1866-1870; Rev. Joseph Hillpot, from 1870- 
1881. The present pastor, Rev. D. H. Reiter, was 
elected on July 9, 1881, and took charge of the congre- 
gation on August 28, 1881. 

The most important work done 'by this congrega- 
tion, as far as visible results are concerned, during the 
present pastorate, was that which was done conjointly 
with Christ's, Trumbauersville, the organization of 
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Quaker- 
town, Pa. This congregation was organized with mem- 
bers of the above-named congregations in 1891, and 
was under their fostering care until 1911, when its en- 
tire plant had been paid for, and became a self-sustain- 
ing parish. This congregation was organized and was 
made self-sustaining without ever receiving or asking 
for one dollar from the Home Mission Board, and the 
unselfishness with which these congregations support- 
ed this movement and not only gave of its members to 
start the movement, but also paid the bulk of the pas- 
tor's salary, while the pastor devoted most of his time 
to the new organization, will ever be a credit to these 
congregations. 

That this could be accomplished without any fric- 
tion was no doubt due to the fact that the people had 
been taught, not only to consider the interests of the 
individual congregation, but of the parish as a whole. 
For this purpose an annual Parish Conference has 



192 JUBILEE VOLUME 

been held during the present pastorate. Every year, on 
Good Friday, the Church Councils of the parish had 
had a meeting at which the interests of the whole par- 
ish were considered. It was at these meetings that 
steps were taken to organize Trinity Church of Quak- 
ertown. The publication of Our Parish Record, an 
annual, which has heen published for thirty-five years, 
and in which not only the interests of the individual 
congregation, but of the parish as a whole, were con- 
sidered, also helped to unite the congregations of the 
parish. 



ST. JOHN'S, (RIDGE VALLEY) 
WEST ROCKHILL 



THE ground occupied by the two church buildings, 
together with the land included in the three 
cemeteries, constituted a part of the original grant by 
Richard Penn to John Guittleman. The guardian of 
the latter's orphan child, whose death came prior to 
his majority, was obliged by law to convey title to his 
(paternal uncle, the nearest relative. His name was 
Henry Guittleman, who owned the land belonging to 
the two congregations at Ridge Valley. From his 118 
acres and 85 rods were taken 1 acre and 76 rods to be 
used for a school-house and burial place, according to 
a record dated April 3, 1802. From the History of 
Bucks County the following extract was taken : "On 
December 12, 1792, a certain piece, or tract of land, 
situate in Rockhill Township was conveyed by one 
Henry Guittleman for, and in consideration of, 5 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 193 

pounds ($25) lawful money of Pennsylvania in gold 
and silver coin in trust to and for the use of the Lu- 
theran and Reformed Calvinistic Societies and their 
successors to erect and build a church on the said 
premises with a graveyard, for the use of said congre- 
gations and their elders and ministers and to and for 
no other purpose." 

Additional evidence of this early date of the found- 
ing of the present congregations is taken from an epi- 
taph on a stone in the old cemetery : "Hier ruht und 
schlaeft Matteis. Der starb im Yahr 1789. Sein 
Vater war Johannes Matteis und seine Mutter Su- 
sanna. Die Taufzeugen waren Johann Fischer und 
Barbara." These dates indicate that the origin of the 
congregations points to the years between 1789 and 
1802. 

The name Ridge Valley is doubtless derived from 
the little stream close by, which bears this name and 
the ridge of rocks and boulders so evident at this 
place. A log school-house on the site of the present 
Reformed church building was used for school and 
church purposes until 1833, when an addition was 
built to the north end of the old structure. The object 
was to furnish more adequate accommodations for 
church services. The building was plastered on the 
outside and white-washed, which gave it a chaste ap- 
pearance. 

The first services of which w T e find traces were con- 
ducted by the Rev. George Roeller and later in the 
history of the Lutheran congregation Rev. Frederick 
Waage held services. In the year 1854 the Lutherans, 
Reformed and Mennonites united to erect a union 



194 JUBILEE VOLUME 

church building and appointed Jonathan Cressman 
(Lutheran), Jesse Hoot (Reformed), and Jacob Roth 
(Mennonite) a Building Committee. The re-modeled 
church building now owned by the Reformed congre- 
gation is that first church, the corner-stone of which 
was laid on Ascension Day, May 25, 1854, and for- 
mally consecrated on November 1st of the same year. 
It cost approximately $2,000, exclusive of lumber and 
labor. The Rev. Frederick Waage preached the con- 
secratory sermon. The church had been previously 
prepared temporarily for the* funeral services of Jona- 
than Cressman, the Lutheran member of the Building 
Committee, on September 9, 1854. Pastor Waage con- 
firmed the first class of catechumens in the spring of 
1857. 

The Rev. Oswin F. Waage succeeded his father as 
pastor. Until 1873, a period of six years, he served 
these people faithfully and on account of his large and 
laborious parish he resigned this congregation, and 
was succeeded by Pastor S. A. Ziegenfuss, who took 
it with his Sellersville parish and brought the congre- 
gation back into the Synod by the adoption of the con- 
stitution recommended by the Synod. He was the pas- 
tor for three years and in the fall of 1876 he resigned 
to accept a call to the Bath-Howertown parish in 
Northampton County, Pa. 

The Rev. James L. Becker was elected as his suc- 
cessor and on August 12, 1877, he was installed in this 
church by Revs. J. F. Ohl and W. B. Fox. He served 
the parish for a period of more than eleven years, 
when in November, 1888, at the recommendation of 
Conference the parish was divided. He resigned St. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 195 

John's and St. Michael's congregations of the parish to 
accept a call to the Lansdale charge. 

This parish, continued as the "Sellersville parish." 
extended a call to J. H. Waidelich, who was then a 
student at the Theological Seminary, and on the 23rd 
of June, 1889, one week after his ordination, he was 
installed in St. Michael's Church, Sellersville, by Revs. 
J. L. Becker and H. S. Fegley, and served the congre- 
gation until October, 1916, when it united with Jeru- 
salem congregation, Ridge Road, to form the "Ridge 
Parish" — St. Michael's having become a self-sustaining 
parish in response to the Conference recommendation. 
He continued as supply until his successor was named. 

The charter recommended by the Ministerium was 
adopted in 1891 and the congregation assumed the 
name St. John's of Ridge Valley. The question of re- 
pairs and enlargement of the building was agitated for 
several years, which finally resulted in the adoption of 
the following resolution on October 8, 1898: "Re- 
solved, That we erect a Lutheran church near the site 
of the old church on land recently purchased by the 
Lutheran congregation." This action meant a separ- 
ation of the joint property interests. A Finance Com- 
mittee, appointed at this congregational meeting, re- 
ported the following January in cash and subscriptions 
the amount of $3,725. The Building Committee was 
now authorized to secure plans and specifications for 
an edifice to cost from six to eight thousand dollars 
and to be in architecture similar to the Lutheran 
church at Sassamansville. 

An active Woman's Society had been gathering funds 
and was very much interested in the new church. So, 

19 



196 JUBILEE VOLUME 

too, the Luther League, which had been organized some 
time previous. On June 25, 1899, the anniversary of 
the Augsburg Confession, the corner-stone was laid. 
The pastor was assisted by Revs. J. L. Becker and R. 
B. Lynch. Though the weather proved most inclem- 
ent, yet the offerings amounted to $124. The follow- 
ing June 10th the new church was consecrated. All 
the former surviving pastors assisted and wore the 
clerical robe, which had been introduced recently by 
action of the congregation. After a brief service in 
the old church the procession started for the new 
building and the formal consecration service followed. 

On the anniversary of the corner-stone laying of the 
first church edifice, May 25, 1901, a 2,000-pound Mc- 
Shane bell was placed in the tower and consecrated 
the next day (Sunday). This bell was the gift of the 
Luther League and cost $632, which had been gath- 
ered before. Though the old church stood for a half 
century this was the first bell which graced either 
tower. The Lutheran congregation made a donation 
of their half interest in the old church property to the 
Reformed congregation on the condition that it con- 
tinue a purely Reformed church. 

A new pipe organ was installed and on October 4, 
1904, it was dedicated. This service was held in con- 
nection with the 50th anniversary of the congregation. 
The congregation has its own cemetery property and 
owns a half interest in the old burial grounds and 
shedding around the old church building. 

The new cemetery, the congregation's property 
alone, still has 300 unsold lots. The proceeds of the 
sale of these are, by action of the congregation, to be 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 197 

invested in a Maintenance Fund, the interest to be ap- 
plied towards maintaining the cemetery and church 
property. 

When it became necessary for St. Michael's congre- 
gation — a parish mate for more than forty-three years 
— to have more frequent services, as town congrega- 
tions require, a separation of the parish was the result. 
St. John's most gracefully concurred with the action 
of St. Michael's people and at the same time accepted 
the Conference recommendation to unite with Jeru- 
salem, Ridge Road, a few miles to the east of this 
church. The new parish was formed in August, 1916, 
by action of both congregations, and is now seeking a 
pastor. These people have been active and earnest in 
working for the Master's kingdom and are liberal con- 
tributors towards benevolence. May their hands con- 
tinue to receive strength, hold fast to all good work 
and works and may God's grace ever keep and pre- 
serve them in true faith as it is in Christ Jesus. 



GRACE, ROYERSFORD 



THE first steps for the formation of Grace Evan- 
gelical Lutheran congregation in Royersford 
were taken November 25, 1889, under the guidance of 
Rev. O. P. Smith, of Augustus Lutheran Church, 
Trappe, and Rev. Jacob Neff, of the Spring City Lu- 
theran Church. 

The first Sunday-school service was held January 5 
1890. The first congregational service was held March 
2, 1890, Rev. Jacob Neff" officiating and preaching the 
sermon. On March 11, 1891, the complete organiza- 
tion of the congregation was effected. 

During the summer of 1891 Mr. Ernest M. Grahn, 
student at the Philadelphia Seminary, regularly sup- 
plied the congregation. 

The corner-stone of the chapel, the first building of 
the congregation, was laid August 30, 1891, by Rev, O. 
P. Smith, who also preached the sermon, being assist- 
ed in the service by Rev. Jacob Neff and Mr. Ernest 
M. Grahn. 

The dedicatory services of the completed chapel 
were held in the afternoon of May 8, 1892. Rev. O. 
P. Smith, president of the Eirst District Conference, 
performed the act of consecration. The dedicatory 
sermon was preached by Rev. Prof. M. H. Richards, 
D.D., of Muhlenberg College, Allentown. At this ser- 
vice the building committee reported a surplus in the 
treasury after paying all bills incidental to the erection 
and completion of the chapel. 

198 




GRACE, ROYERSFORD 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 199 

June 19, 1892, the congregation elected as their pas- 
tor Rev. J. H. Neiman. His installation took place 
Sunday afternoon, October 8, 1892, Rev. Jacob Neff 
officiating, and Rev. E. T. Kretschmann preaching the 
sermon. 

The pastorate of Rev. J. H. Neiman terminated Sep- 
tember 1, 1898. On August 6, 1899, the Rev. J. Fred- 
erick Kramlich, of Kutztown, Pa. (a graduate of the 
Lutheran Seminary, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, class of 
1899), the newly elected pastor, preached his introduc- 
tory sermon. The installation service was held Sun- 
day morning, August 13, Rev. J. H. Waidelich, presi- 
dent of the Norristown Conference, delivering the 
charge to the congregation and performing the act of 
installation and Rev. S. L. Harkey, D.D., delivering 
the charge to the pastor. 

Because of the inadequacy of the chapel to meet the 
requirements of the rapidly increasing membership of 
the congregation, it was decided at a congregational 
meeting held in the fall of 1899 to erect a new church 
building. 

On Sunday afternoon, August 30, 1901, the corner- 
stone of the proposed new church was laid by the pas- 
tor, Rev. N. F. Schmidt, president of the Norristown 
Conference, and Rev. J. H. Waidelich delivering ad- 
dresses. 

The consecratory services of the completed church 
building were held Sunday morning, March 2, 1902. 
The pastor performed the act of consecration and the 
sermons were preached by Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D.D., 
president of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and 
Rev. O. P. Smith, D.D. In the afternoon the Bible 



200 JUBILEE VOLUME 

School held a special service, addresses being delivered 
by Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D.D., and Rev. George A. 
Kercher. The special evening sermons were preached 
by Rev. J. Fry, D.D., and Rev. N. F. Schmidt. The 
sermons at the special evening services during the 
week were preached by Rev. G. F. Spieker, D.D., Rev. 
J. L. Becker, Rev. A. S. Fichthorn and Rev. E. T 
Horn, D.D. The cost of the structure was $34,000. 

Grace congregation from its very inception has not 
only been self-supporting, but has also very loyally 
and nobly supported every request of the Ministerium. 
Her present active membership is 383. 



ST. PAUL'S, SASSAMANSVILLE 



THE history of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran 
congregation at Sassamansville, Pa., is unique 
in its origin. In 1836 a union church was organized 
at Niantic, Pa. The Reformed congregation worship- 
ping there became divided as to the question of the 
election of a pastor. A large minority favored the 
election of Rev. Lewis Herman, who, however, was 
defeated at the election. This displeased the leader of 
the minority, Henry Sassaman, and he withdrew his 
membership from the congregation, stating that he 
would build his own church. He chose as a site for 
this new church Sassamansville, Pa., commencing 
building operations there in the spring of 1837. The 
edifice was completed in the spring of 1838 and was 
furnished by Mr. Sassaman with organ, pulpit, etc. 




ST. PAUL'S, SASSAMANSVILLE 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 201 

The building, together with its furnishings, represent- 
ed an outlay of about $8,000. Mr. Sassaman now in- 
vited three denominations to worship in his church, 
giving two out of every four Sundays to the Reform- 
ed, one to the Lutherans and one to the Mennoniles. 
The latter, however, never held regular services in this 
church. 

Henry Sassaman practically appointed the first 
clergymen both of the Reformed and Lutheran side of 
this newly founded union church. The Reformed can- 
didate, Rev. Lewis Herman, defeated in the election at 
Niantic, was appointed by him pastor of the Reformed 
congregation, and Rev. Conrad Miller, pastor of the 
Lutheran congregation. Rev. Miller began his pastor- 
ate in the year 1838 and continued in it till his death in 
the fail of 1852. 

In the meantime, to be exact, in the year 1840, Henry 
Sassaman presented his church to the congregations 
worshipping in it, and thus the Lutherans were now 
able to elect a pastor without having to reckon with 
outside influence. After the death of Rev. Conrad 
Miller, their choice fell on Rev. Nathan Yeager, who 
accepted the call, serving the congregation from the 
spring of 1853 to the fall of 1857. 

During the winter of 1857-58 the congregation was 
without a pastor. Rev. Frederick Waage, of Penns- 
burg, officiated at funerals, etc. 

In the spring of 1858 Rev. Henry Wendt was elect- 
ed pastor, his pastorate continuing till the fall of 1862. 
During the following winter Rev. Croll, from Hill 
Church, acted as supply to the congregation. 



202 JUBILEE VOLUME 

From 1863-66 Rev. Struntz, and from 1866-68 Rev. 
Fleckenstein were the pastors of the Lutheran congre- 
gation. 

In the fall of 1868 Rev. W. B. Fox, a son of the 
congregation, was elected its pastor, serving it faith- 
fully for 35 years. During his pastorate great pro- 
gress was made along many lines of church activity. 
On the 6th of May, 1877, a union Sunday-school was 
organized under the leadership of the following offi- 
cers : Henry A. Frederick, superintendent ; Frank Kel- 
ler, assistant superintendent; Isaac C. Jones, secre- 
tary; Samuel Bechtel, librarian, and Charles M. Kel- 
ler, treasurer. This Sunday-school had an initial mem- 
bership of 127, of which two members and one officer 
are still active in our Lutheran Sunday-school work at 
Sassamansville. In 1895 the time seemed ripe for the 
erection of an exclusively Lutheran church in Sassa- 
mansville. A committee was appointed to work out 
all the preliminary details regarding the building site. 
finances, etc. This committee reported favorably and 
on January 7, 1896, a building committee was appoint- 
ed, consisting of John F. Renninger, Isaac C. Jores, 
Irwin R. Erb, Milton Hoffman and Isaac Linsenbig- 
ler. Plans were drawn up and work begun at once. 
All the members contributed liberally towards the 
building fund. Many of the members also worked on 
the erection of the church without accepting any re- 
muneration for their services. The entire building 
was completed at the remarkably small cost of $6,397. 
In the following year, 1897, this beautiful house of 
worship, a monument to the faithful work of Rev. 
Fox and the liberality of the congregation, was dedi- 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 203 

cated as the Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church 
of Sassamansville, Pa. In 1900 the last financial obli- 
gation incurred through the building of the church 
was cancelled by the congregation. In 1901 a tract of 
land was purchased to serve as a burial ground. It 
was named St. Paul's Cemetery. In 1903 the congre- 
gation was incorporated. In the same year the con- 
gregation also installed beautiful memorial windows 
at a cost of $545. 

In the spring of 1904 Rev. Fox's pastorate came to 
an end with his death. From 1904-06 different pastors 
supplied the congregation, chief among whom was the 
Rev. J. J. Cressman, of Kutztown, Pa. 

At an election held on Sunday, April 18, 1906, Mel- 
vin A. Kurtz, of East Greenville, who was baptized 
and confirmed by his predecessor, the late Rev. W. B. 
Fox, and who was about to graduate from the Theo- 
logical Seminary, was elected pastor. He took charge 
of the congregation June the 24th of the same year 
and was regularly installed on July 15th by the presi- 
dent of the Conference, the Rev. P. A. Laury, and as- 
sisted by Rev. I. B. Kurtz, of Pottstown. With the 
advent of Rev. Kurtz, Christ Church, Niantic, and St. 
Paul's were united into one charge. During his pas- 
torate English services, the full liturgical service as 
well as the gown were introduced. The benevolent 
work of the congregation was also much increased. 
Late in the year 1908 it was decided to install a pipe 
organ and to build an annex to the church for this pur- 
pose. A $2,000 pipe organ was purchased, the church 
renovated and the pastor's study furnished at a cost 
of practically $3,000. On March 28, 1909, an organ 



204 JUBILEE VOLUME 

consecration followed the inaugural organ recital held 
on the previous evening by Prof. A. Weiser, of Potts- 
town. At this all-day service the Revs. G. F. Spieker, 
D.D., of the Seminary; N. E. Miller, the president of 
the Conference; A. M. Weber, of Boyertown, and C. 
F. Dapp. of Sumneytown, officiated. On October 1, 
1915, the pastorate of Rev. Kurtz came to an end, he 
having accepted a call to the Church of the Redeemer, 
at Lancaster, Pa. 

During the spring of the year 1916 Robert H. Isch- 
inger, a student at the Seminary at Mt. Airy, was call- 
ed by the congregation to become its pastor. The call 
was accepted and Rev. Ischinger took charge of the 
congregation after his ordination by the Pennsylvania 
Ministerium at its meeting in Reading, Pa. His in- 
stallation took place in July, Rev. Warren Nickel, the 
president of the Conference, and Rev. H. D. E. Sie- 
bott, German secretary of Synod, and pastor of St. 
Mark's Church, Philadelphia, officiating. 





Rev. O. P. Smith, D.D. r ev . £. T. KrETschman, Ph.D. 





Rev. A. S. Fichthorn, D.D. 



Rev. G. C. Gardner 





Rev. G. S. FeglEy 



Rev. Jacob Neiman 



JERUSALEM, SCHWENKSVILLE 



THIS congregation was organized, in all probabil- 
ity, under the guidance of Dr. J. W. Richards, 
of Trappe, in the spring of 1835. 

As early as February 14, 1756, Valentine Keely and 
his wife Susanna drew up a deed to Heronimus Haas 
and John Kepler, members of the Trappe Lutheran 
Church, for one acre of land, for a burying ground, 
the erection of a school-house, and the maintenance 
of a German school. As the framers of the deed died 
shortly afterwards it was never executed. A purchase 
was, however, effected on the part of the Lutherans 
by George Michael Bastian, John Kepler and Valen- 
tine Krause, members of the Trappe Church, and for 
the Reformed by Martin Keeler, Henry Keely and 
Valentine Sheelich as trustees. It was also stipulated 
that if a house of worship should be erected thereon, it 
was to be held jointly by the two denominations. It 
was situated one mile west of Schwenksville. 

Owing to the fact that the land came out of the 
Keely estate, the burying ground and afterwards the 
church, became popularly known as Keely's Cemetery 
and Keeley's Church, a name which adheres to the 
graveyard to this day. 

The congregation was incorporated in 1842 under 
the title of "The German Lutheran Congregation of 
the Jerusalem Church in Skippack, Montgomery 
County, in the State of Pennsylvania." 

By reason of the fact that all the land in Skippack, 
west of the Perkiomen, was later constituted into Per- 
kiomen Township, and that the church itself was 

205 



206 JUBILEE VOLUME 

afterwards transferred to the village of Schwenksville, 
the geographical designation of the congregation was 
no longer true, therefore the congregation in f he 
spring of 1910 petitioned the court to change the 
name to "The Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church 
of Schwenksville," which petition was granted. 

PASTORS 

The congregation was served by the following pas- 
tors : Rev. Jacob Wampole. from March 22, 1836, to 
January 3, 1838. His ministry was terminated by his 
death; Rev. Henry S. Miller, from January 31, 1838, 
to May 16, 1852; Rev. George Wenzel, D.D., from 
June 27, 1852, to September 17, 1854; Rev. Adam S. 
Link, from September 17, 1854, to March 1, 1859; 
Rev. George Sill, from March 27, 1859, to October 1, 
1863; Rev. John Kohler, D.D., from January 1, 1864, 
to September 27, 1873 ; Rev. O. P. Smith, D.D., from 
June 2, 1874, to May 1, 1889, and Rev. N. F. Schmidt, 
from May 1, 1889, to the present, making this pastor- 
ate by far the longest in the history of the charge. 

BUILDINGS 

As early as 1762 a log school-house was built, in 
which religious services were occasionally conducted. 
It was used by General Washington as a hospital for 
his sick and wounded soldiers after their retreat from 
the battle of Germantown. Many of his soldiers were 
buried in a woods near by. After the war the build- 
ing was enlarged and divided into two apartments, 
one Deing used for the school and the other exclusively 
lor worship. It was torn down in 1834. 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 207 

The first distinctive church was erected during the 
second half of the year 1835, and the greater part of 
the year 1836, at a cost of $1,350. Much of the work 
was done gratuitously by the members. It was a two- 
story stone building with a gallery on three sides, and 
stood across the road from the cemetery. From this 
building the Lutherans withdrew on Easter in the 
year 1889, and the Reformed three years later. After 
this it was only used for an occasional funeral service. 
During the summer of 1897 arrangements were made 
to sell the building for the material that it contained. 
Knowing that it would soon be razed, the two congre- 
gations gathered within it, in large numbers, on Sat-? 
urday afternoon, September 25, for a final service. 
At the close of the worship all withdrew from the 
church and assembled around the corner-stone on the 
outside. After appropriate addresses by the pastors, 
Rev. W. B. Werner, of the Reformed Church, and the 
present pastor of the Lutheran Church, the corner- 
stone was uncovered. The stone, its contents, the com- 
munion set, baptismal bowl, "klingelbeutel" and other 
sacred articles were divided between the two congre- 
gations. It was soon afterward torn down. Thus 
"Keely's Church," which had been the spiritual home 
of two congregations for over a half a century, be- 
came a thing of the past. 

In the early part of the year 1887, during the active 
and efficient ministry of Rev. O. P. Smith, and the 
long and successful pastorate of Rev. S. M. K. Huber, 
of the Reformed Church, the two congregations took 
up the question of a new church building. After con- 
sidering somewhat carefully, but adversely, the advis- 



208 t JUBILEE VOLUME 

ability of building denominational churches, they then 
turned to the more troublesome question : as to 
whether the new church should be erected on the old 
site, or in the village of Schwenksville. By a vote of 
two to one it was decided to build a union church at 
the old place. 

The minority, realizing the error in building away 
from the centre of population, withheld its co-oper- 
ation, and later determined to build a union church of 
its own in the village. It was at this point that the 
wisdom and foresight of Rev. O. P. Smith prompted 
him to step in, expose the folly of erecting two union 
churches, less than a mile apart, with two sets of rival 
congregations, which would in all probability be at 
loggerheads with one another for ages to come, and to 
suggest as a solution for all their differences the adop- 
tion of his original plan : to build a Lutheran church in 
Schwenksville. 

After carefully and prayerfully considering the pro- 
position in all its bearings, it was so decided. Every 
Lutheran family was visited either by the pastor or an 
active member of the church council, who explained 
to them the advisability and the wisdom of the action 
taken by the citizens of the village and their adherents. 
Whatever had been their original preference, after 
hearing the matter presented to them personally in a 
clear, deliberate and intelligent manner, they almost 
unanimously agreed to the project. Then it was that 
a congregation of scarcely two hundred active mem- 
bers began the erection of a building which, when 
completed, cost over $15,000. 

It would be an act of ingratitude not to mention that 




JERUSALEM, SCHWENXSVILLE 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 209 

in its building operations the congregation was won- 
derfully helped by the active co-operation and the 
moral and financial support, cheerfully given to it by 
men and women of other communions of faith. The 
ground was broken for the new church at the corner 
of Second and Church Streets near the middle of 
September, 1887. The corner-stone was laid on Octo- 
ber 9 of the same year, and the church was conse- 
crated on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1889, by the pas- 
tor, assisted by Rev. Jas. L. Becker, of Lansdale, and 
Student E. T. Kretschmann, the newly elected pastor 
of the Trappe Church; Rev. Wra. Wackernagel, D.D., 
of Muhlenberg College, preaching the sermon. This 
edifice, the first of a new order of churches in the Per- 
kiqmen Valley, stands as a monument to the labors and 
foresight of the now lamented Rev. O. P. Smith, D.D. 

During the summer of 1902 the pastor suggested to 
the members of the church council the advisability of 
building a parsonage. The proposition was favorably 
received, and steps were taken to put it into execu- 
tion. About this same time a dwelling at the corner 
of Second and Centennial Streets was offered for sale. 
This was bought and renovated, and the pastor moved 
into it on April 1, 1903. As the house was small, and 
did not agree with the conception that many had of a 
parsonage, the move in buying it was never popular. 

On this account the Ladies' Aid Society decided to 
put forth an effort to accumulate a fund with which 
a new parsonage might later be built. Mrs. Mary S. 
Geiger, of Philadelphia, a good friend of the congre- 
gation, was approached on the subject. After giving 
a substantial donation she intimated privately that 



210 JUBILEE VOLUME 

when the fund reached $1,000 there would be "some- 
thing doing." The goal having been reached in the 
spring of 1909, she expressed her willingness to fulfill 
her implied promise. 

On Aug. 2, 1909 announcement was made to the con- 
gregation that a parsonage was to be erected and do- 
nated to the congregation. The donor expressed the 
wish that the $1,000, already accumulated might be set 
apart for maintaining the same, a wish which has since 
been carried out. 

The work of construction was rapidly pushed so 
that by spring of the following year a beautiful and 
commodious parsonage, with a magnificent outlook, 
and which cost $5,382, was ready for occupancy. 
Within its living-room the Ladies Aid Society placed 
a brass tablet with the following inscription : 

"This Parsonage was erected A. D. 1909 by Mary 
S. Geiger as a memorial to her father Jacob Schwenk 
founder of Schwenksville." 

It stands, opposite the church, on a most desirable 
lot, with 125 feet frontage. This lot was the dona- 
tion of Mr. Irvin S. Schwenk and his wife Elizabeth 
B. Thus daughter and grand-son combined in per- 
petuating the name of a beloved ancestor. 

Credit for the conception of the thought of erecting 
a memorial parsonage and of pushing the same until 
it materialized is due to one whose interest in the wel- 
fare of the congregation never flagged, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Schwenk, widow of Abram G Schwenk, brother and 
father of the donors, and who had been the faithful 
and efficient president of the Church Council for forty 
years. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 21 



LANGUAGE AND SERVICES. 



In the matter of language and the number of ser- 
vices the congregation has ever kept abreast with the 
growing needs of the community. From the out- 
start it was an entirely German congregation, with 
preaching every four weeks. In connection with the 
call extended to Rev. Geo. Sill in March 1859 the 
number of services was doubled and English was in- 
troduced so that there was preaching every two weeks, 
alternating between German and English. This ar- 
rangement was continued until the beginning of the 
present pastorate in 1889 when the number of ser- 
vices was again doubled, although the ratio between 
the languages remained the same, except that an extra 
English service was added in the evening. At the 
same time the English liturgical service with musical 
rendering was introduced. 

As the spoken language of the community became 
in time more predominatingly English the need was 
felt for more services in that tongue and less in the 
German. Therefore on May 31, 1895 at a special 
meeting of the Church Council it was unanimously re- 
solved : "That hereafter this congregation shall have 
two English day services to be followed by one in 
German." The evening services remained as before. 
Thus the equal division of services between the two 
languages, which had prevailed for thirty-six years 
gave way to the urgent needs of the community and 
the tendency of the age. Wishing to return to the 
German portion of the congregation something in ex- 
change for the services that it was taking away the 



212 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Church Council decided to give them a liturgical ser- 
vice like the English had. And the service of the 
Kirchenbuch was accepted in the spirit in which it was 
offered. 

The growth of the congregation being confined al- 
most exclusively to the English portion there was soon 
again heard a demand for more English. Beginning 
with May 1, 1911 another new order was introduced by 
which English was to be preached on three consecutive 
Sunday mornings to be followed by a German service 
in the afternoon. Thus the language of our fathers 
was gradually being supplanted by the language of our 
land. 

The services of the church were rendered more effi- 
cient by the installation of a large pipe organ on 
October 27, 1895, and more churchly by the introduc- 
tion of the clerical robe on August 17, 1902. 

ORGANIZATIONS 

Scarcely had the decision to build a Luthern Church 
been made when the Rev. O. P. Smith took measures 
which were calculated to call into activity the latent 
energy of a very substantial portion of the congrega- 
tion, that of the woman. Accordingly on November 5, 
1887 he organized a Ladies' Aid Society. Under the 
inspiration of a new church building it awakened an 
interest in, and drew to its membership a remarkably 
large number of women not only of the congregation 
but of the community. It became thereby a very 
potent factor in helping to meet the financial obliga- 
tions of the congregation. Almost all of the fur- 
nishings of the church, and a substantial part of the 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 213 

debt was paid out of its treasury, and ever since it has 
been true to its name in rendering aid to the congrega- 
tion in all its undertakings. 

Up to the time of the completion of the new church 
the only practical knowledge that the entire com- 
munity had of a Sunday School was that of a Union 
school. When therefore the pastor suggested that 
a Lutheran Sunday School with Lutheran literature, 
be organized the proposition was received with fear 
and trembling, although the loyalty of the congregation 
to their pastor Rev. O. P. Smith prompted them to 
acquiesce in his suggestion. When, therefore, on the 
last Sunday in April 1889 the first meeting was held 
and there were more in attendance than they were 
wont to have in a union school of four congregations 
it was not only a source of gratification, but demon- 
strated beyond all peradventure that in loyalty to one's 
faith there is strength. The number of scholars grad- 
ually increased until it attained, as it still maintains, a 
position of great influence in the development of 
the congregation. 

A "Young People's Guild," organized in the begin- 
ning of the present pastorate, became a rallying centre 
for the interest and activity of the young people, and 
through the years which followed proved a source 
of pleasure and of profit to them, while it served to 
increase the inner life of the whole congregation. 

A Woman's Missionary Society, which has awakened 
and is developing the missionary spirit in the mem- 
bership of the congregation, was also organized dur- 
ing this present pastorate. For more than a dozen 
years it has supported a girl student in India besides 



214 JUBILEE VOLUME 

contributing regularly to the various mission causes 
of the church. It has proven to be of inestimable 
value, not only in its benevolent activities, but also in 
engendering a keener sense of obligation in the final 
evangelization of the whole world. 

Whatever cause there may be for gratification in the 
achievements of the past we cannot help but feel that 
the congregation is still in the morning of its life and 
in the springtime of its activities. We look therefore 
into the future with the confident hope that for it, 
under the guidance of the great Head of the Church, 
there are better things to come. 



ST. MICHAEL'S, SELLERSVILLE 



CHURCH members, living in this village fifty years 
ago, did not enjoy a convenient place of wor- 
ship. This condition proved a stimulus to provide 
for themselves and their children some place for pub- 
lic services and religious instruction. Already, there- 
fore, in the year 1859 the Rev. F. Berkemeyer, pastor 
of the Hilltown parish, conducted services in the old 
school-house and a few years later when the Rev. F. 
Walz located in the town both pastors conducted Luth- 
eran services here as also the German Reformed pastor 
Fisher. 

An impracticable suggestion to build a church mid- 
way between this place and South Perkasie (then 
known as Bridgetown) induced our people in April 
1868 to take steps to> erect a church building within 
the limits of this town. In consequence a tract of 




ST. MICHAEl/s, SELLERSVILLE 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 215 

three acres of land was purchased from Mr. William 
Schlichter and divided into cemetery lots and offered 
for sale. In less than two years the proceeds warrant- 
ed the erection of a union church. It was decided to 
construct the building of native stone which a joint 
committee of Lutherans and Reformed arranged to 
quarry in a field near by. 

The corner-stone was laid on May 28, 1870, by 
pastors YYalz and Berkemeyer (Lutheran) and Rev. 
Fisher (Reformed). The church building was finish- 
ed but for lack of funds the lecture room only was 
furnished and here religious services were regularly 
held. The first class of catechumens was confirmed 
by the Rev. F. Walz on November 3, 1872. After a 
complete organization of the congregation the need 
of more frequent services was felt and in order to 
satisfy this a parish connection was sought and found. 

The First District Conference of the Minis- 
terium of Pennsylvania honored a petition of St. Mich- 
ael's people to be united with Christ church. Towamen- 
cin and thus a new parish was constituted and named 
"Sellersville Parish." Mr. S. A. Ziegenfuss a student 
of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia 
was elected in March. 1873. and a call extended which 
he accepted subject to his ordination. He was in- 
stalled pastor on July 27, 1873, by pastors F. Walz and 
Lazarus in this church. 

New life and activity became evident because of 
more frequent and regular services which led to the 
completion and equipment of the main audience room 
of the church. The congregation was still small, 
numbering only 46 communicants at the first com- 

21 



216 JUBILEE VOLUME 

munion in June, 1873. The formal consecration of 
the church took place on May 2 and 3, 1874. The 
pastor was assisted by Drs. W. J. Mann of the Semin- 
ary, F. A. Muhlenberg, President of Muhlenberg Col- 
lege and A. R. Home. Rev. Ziegenfuss served the 
parish until October, 1876 when he resigned to accept 
a call to the Bath-Howertown charge in Northampton 
County, Pa. During his pastorate St. John's of 
Ridge Valley was added to the parish and brought in- 
to the Synod. 

His successor was the Rev. J. L. Becker whose in- 
stallation took place in Ridge Valley church on Aug- 
ust 12, 1877, and was conducted by Revs. J. F. Ohl 
and W. B. Fox. He served the parish most faithfully 
for more than eleven years. During his ministry he 
began preaching in Lansdale which resulted in the 
organization of Trinity church of that place and hence 
the parish became a large and laborious one. When 
in the fall of 1888 this parish was divided at the 
recommendation of Conference, Pastor Becker resign- 
ed St. Michael's and St. John's to accept a call to the 
newly formed Lansdale parish. 

Sellersville Parish elected J. H. Waidelich of the 
Lutheran Seminary and extended a call, which was 
accepted and on June 23, 1889, one week after his 
ordination, he was installed in St. Michael's Church by 
Revs. J. L. Becker and H. S. Fegley. Perkasie was 
a growing town but one mile north of this place and 
many members of St. Michael's living there it be- 
came very evident that some attention be given it. 
The Conference had authorized the pastor of Sellers- 
ville parish to assist the Lutherans there to secure a 



N0RR1ST0WN CONFERENCE 217 

place of worship. The church council in the spring 
of 1892 appointed a committee consisting of the pastor 
and two members of the council to co-operate with the 
Lutherans in Perkasie, which resulted in the building 
of Trinity church that same year. 

The Union Sunday school about this time had some 
experience which occasioned a joint meeting of the 
church councils. At this meeting the following reso- 
lution was discussed: Resolved, that it is the sense of 
the Lutheran council that each congregation engage 
in its own Sunday school work for the welfare of both 
congregations. This resolution was passed and in 
consequence separate Sunday schools were opened 
January 15, 1892. 

This action was but preliminary to a subsequent 
separation of all joint property interests. This was 
accomplished by an election of the two congregations, 
held June 23, 1900, when the vote carried for such 
separation. In the fall of the year the Lutherans 
purchased the half interest in the property from the 
Reformed and thus became the sole owners of the 
church building. This was re-modeled and enlarged 
at an outlay of about $25,000 including pipe-organ, 
new chancel, art windows and a tower clock. The 
re-consecration services were held on January 24, 
1904. The pastor was assisted by pastors F. Berke- 
meyer, S. A. Ziegenfuss, D. D. and J. L. Becker, who 
formerly served the congregation. 

The clerical robe was introduced by action of the 
congregation in the year 1895 and thus became the 
pioneer gown in the Lutheran churches of Bucks 
County. A woman's organization was effected in 



218 JUBILEE VOLUME 

the early part of 1891 and soon thereafter came the 
Luther League which supports a boy and girl in our 
India Mission School. A Saturday School is con- 
ducted by the pastor who with some assistance teaches 
from sixty to one hundred children every Saturday 
afternoon. These children are below thirteen years 
and learn Psalms, Hymns, Scripture passages and 
prayers. 

Very appropriately has the congregation observed 
the 25th anniversary of the pastor's ordination and 
pastorate, with special services on June 24, 1914. The 
sermons were preached by Dr. E. T. Horn, President 
of the Ministerium and Dr. J. A. W. Haas, President 
of Muhlenberg College. St. Michael's also gave the 
pastor leave of absence to visit his fatherland in 1912 
and provided for a supply during his stay of ten weeks. 

The congregation felt for years the need of having 
services every Lord's Day morning and evening, 
which of necessity required a separation of the parish 
and that it become self-sustaining. This action was 
taken in March, 1916 and becomes effective January 
1917 — a fine opening of the Jubilee Year of the Refor- 
mation's Quadri -centennial. The Conference concurred 
in this action, which is its own recommendation. St. 
John's was officially notified of the resolution and very 
gracefully acquiesced. St. Michael's will have all of 
the pastor's time henceforth. The congregation is large 
and prepared to assume more work. It publishes a 
quarterly parish paper and thus disseminates informa- 
tion and news of local and general interest in church 
activities. 






ST. ANDREW'S, SOUTH PERKASIE 



T N the year 1866 several families in South Perkasie, 
■*■ then called Bridgetown, felt the need of having a 
church in town. Consequently the Lutherans and Re- 
formed agreed to unite in erecting a church. Among 
those interested in the project among the Lutherans 
were Stephen Young, William H. Snyder, Aaron Sav- 
acool, Abraham Cope and others. The congre- 
gation was organized under the leadership of Rev. F. 
Berkemeyer who became the first pastor. An in- 
formal meeting of men was called by Stephen Young 
to secure the sentiment of the community. This 
led to the calling of a second meeting when a com- 
mittee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the 
new church. This was the beginning of St. Andrew's 
Union Church. About this time the Methodists con- 
ceived the idea of building a church and bought the 
lot which the Lutherans and Reformed had in view. 
The lot upon which the church was built and on which 
it now stands was owned by Jesse Hartzel, who was 
a committeeman of the Reformed congregation. 
The cost of the lot cannot be ascertained. The found- 
ation for the church was dug by men interested in the 
movement. The stones for the walls were secured 
free of charge from Samuel Mood at his Ridge Road 
quarry. They were prepared at the quarry so as to 
be ready for the masons and were delivered to the 
church without any expense. The mason work was 
under the supervision of Ezra Moore and Frank Wol- 
finger. The carpenter work was supervised by Steev- 
er and Son. Some of the heavy timber was donated 

219 



220 JUBILEE VOLUME 

by men of the community. It was not very long 
before some of the people became disinterested and 
on account of lack of funds the building operations 
ceased. After some persuasion a new beginning was 
made with the result that the corner-stone which was 
planned to be laid on Whit-Sunday, June 10, 1867, was 
not laid until the following day on account of a heavy 
rain storm. After some hard work the basement was 
finished and was consecrated on December 4th and 
5th, 1869. The church was not completed because of 
lack of money until May 26, 1870 which is the date 
it was consecrated. The dedication sermon was 

preached by Rev. Roth from Northampton County. 
His text was Psalm 27: 4-5. A few years ago an 
organ was purchased from C. J. Heppe of Philadelphia 
for about $400. When the organ was dedicated Mr. 
Heppe was present with his choir of 18 members and 
rendered a few suitable selections. In 1882 the in- 
terior of the church was re-modeled and frescoed. The 
frescoing was done by Mr. Kusche who resided near 
the Six Cornered Church. He painted the picture 
of Christ, which is still above the pulpit. The 
painting was copied from a picture which is still 
in the possession of Stephen Young of Philadelphia. 
When the church was first built the pulpit was at the 
opposite end of the church from where it now is. The 
present arrangement was effected in 1882. The tower, 
the front stair-ways and the hell were not added until 
1890. The above alterations all took place during 
the pastorate of the Rev. F. Berkemeyer. 

In 1895 Rev. M. J. Kuehner became the pastor and 
served the congregation until 1904. 



; 




ST. ANDREWS, SO. PERKASIE 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 221 

On November 29, 1904 Rev. P. A. Behler was in- 
stalled as pastor. During his pastorate the Union 
Sunday School ceased and separate Schools were or- 
ganized. In the early part of the year 1908 the 
church was again re-modeled, frescoed and furnished 
with new pews and steam heat at a cost of $4,500. 
Re-consecration services were held on April 5, 1908. 
The pastorate of Rev. Behler ended with the year 
1910. 

On March 5, 1911, Howard S. Paules, then a stud- 
ent in the Mt. Airy Seminary was unanimously elected 
to become the pastor of St. Andrew's, and a week 
later was elected at St. Peter's, Hilltown. The elec- 
tions were held on condition of his ordination which 
took place on June 11, 1911. During the summer of 
1911 a new Estey pipe organ was installed at a cost 
$1,750. Of this amount Andrew Carnegie paid $750, 
the Reformed congregation $500 and the Lutheran 
congregation $500. Suitable services were at once 
held at which Rev. S. E. Mover, pastor of the Reform- 
ed congregation performed the act of consecration. 
On May 31, 1915 two members of St. Andrew's were 
ordained as Lutheran ministers by the Ministerium 
of Pennsylvania in the Church of the Holy Com- 
munion, Philadelphia. They are Rev. Clarence M. 
Snyder, now pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, 
Gouldsboro, Pa., and Rev. Jacob S. Savacool, now 
pastor St. James', Pottstown and St. Peter's, Stowe, 
Pa. The present membership of St. Andrew's is 242. 
All the organizations are in a flourishing condition. 

During the present pastorate a Young Men's Asso- 
ciation was organized which has a membership of 41. 



222 JUBILEE VOLUME 

A Mission Study Class was also organized which is 
conducted every year during Lent. 

The officers and members of the present Church 
Council are the following: 

Secretary — Amos S. Beringer, Treasurer and Trus- 
tee — Jacob A. Savacool, Financial Secretary — Mahlon 
Dimmick, Trustee — Leidy Treffinger. The other mem- 
bers of the council are Samuel Phillips, E. K. Moyer, 
Isaiah Fluck and Ellis D. Moyer. 






EMMANUEL'S, SOUDERTON 



IN 1753, Jacob Leidy, having secured a tract of land 
in Franconia township, then in Philadelphia 
County, set aside a plot of his farm for the burial of 
the dead of his own family. Owing to the distances 
to the cemeteries of the older churches this soon be- 
came the common burial place for the people of Fran- 
conia and Hilltown townships, Montgomery County. 
In 1780 this farm together with this burial plot was 
conveyed to Jacob Leidy the third. In 1795 the 
heads of the families who had buried their dead at 
this place or who intended to do so, formed themselves 
into an association. In August of the same year, for 
a nominal sum of money, he deeded this graveyard 
plot of his farm to this association, of which John 
Althouse of Franconia township and Abraham Cope 
of Hilltown township acted as trustees. Thus the 
"Old Leidy's Graveyard" became a public burial place. 
The Leidy's were members of the German Reformed 
church. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 223 

About the same time as this burial place was put 
into the care aiid control of the community, efforts 
were put forth to make better provision for the educa- 
tion of the living, by erecting a school house on the 
same plot. It was a small one story stone building and 
for more than a quarter of a century served the needs 
of the community in the education of the young. Dur- 
ing inclement weather it was also used for funeral 
purposes. In 1827 this building was enlarged so that, 
as occasion demanded, public services could be held 
for the worship of Almighty God. In 1853 the first 
Sunday school in this section of the country was 
started. With the Sunday school came the demand 
for increased amount of services for public worship. 
In consequence the trustees and others of the above 
named association assembled in the school house to 
consider this matter. At this meeting Thomas Leidy 
tendered a plot of ground adjoining the "Old Grave- 
yard" containing 89 perches of land, for the use and 
benefit of the Lutheran and Reformed people on which 
to erect a house of worship. This offer was immedi- 
ately accepted. It was also at the same time unan- 
imously decided to erect a church 40 x 52 feet for the 
joint use of the German Reformed and Lutheran 
denominations. Josiah W. Leidy and Benjamin 
Cope were elected as the building committee. This 
committee was so earnest in its efforts that within two 
months the corner stone was laid, September 11, 1858. 
Rev. Peter S. Fisher was the Reformed and W. B. 
Kaemmerer the Lutheran officiating minister. The 
building was completed the following year and was 
consecrated with impressive services on June 18, 1859 



224 JUBILEE VOLUME 

and given the name of Emmanuel's church. .Revs. 
Yeager and Kaemmerer were the officiating Lutheran 
pastors. The Lutheran congregation elected Henry 
Cope as its first treasurer and John F. Cope and 
Tobias Cope as the first trustees. 

In the fall of the same year, the Rev. F. Berkemeyer 
assumed charge of the pastoral duties among these 
people and organized them into a regular congregation. 
He served the congregation for a period of 17 years, 
and laid deep the foundations on which others built. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Hilpot who labored 
here for aJbout 7 years. He was followed by Rev. D. 
H. Reiter who served this congregation in connection 
with the Richlandtown Parish, for 24 years. This 
pastorate was as fruitful as it was long. We would 
note the most significant items. In 1886 the build- 
ing was improved and modernized by the addition of 
a chancel recess. The walls were frescoed, and a 
chancel rail and a new pulpit properly placed. In 
1883 the 400th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin 
Luther was appropriately observed. So was also the 
100th anniversary of the death of Henry Melchior 
Muhlenberg in 1887. In 1888 the congregation was 
incorporated. The female members of the congre- 
gation were given the right of vote in 1894. With 
the rapid growth of the town of Souderton, three- 
fourths of a mile distant from the church, the neces- 
sity of holding services there was felt. In accordance 
with this, a Mission League was effected under whose 
direction services were conducted in Strasser's hall. 
On October 7, 1901, at the home of J. M. Landis the 
ladies of the congregation organized an Aid Society 









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NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 225 

for the purpose of gathering funds for a church build- 
ing in the town. On Easter Monday, April 13, 1903, 
the congregation decided to erect a church in Souder- 
ton, but to continue services in the old union church 
as well. Mr. Jonas M. Landis donated two handsome 
lots on West Broad St. on which to erect this new 
church. For this donation and his subsequent gener- 
ous support, his unstinted time and effort and his mu- 
nificent gifts, this congregation owes him a lasting debt 
of gratitude. 

The corner stone was laid on May 31, 1903. And 
on March 20, 1904 the new church was consecrated. 
The Rev. Warren Nickel preached the first sermon 
in the new 'building. The other participating pastors 
were the Revs. F. Berkemeyer, S. A. B. Stopp, A. C. 
Schenck, P. A. Laury, J. L. Becker, J. H. W'aidelich, 
P. A. Behler, C. C. Snyder and G. K. Rubrecht who is 
a son of the congregation and at that time was a 
candidate for the ministry. Since his ordination he 
has been the successful pastor of Epiphany Church, 
Milwaukee, Wis. At the same time, the old church 
was re-modeled and renovated and re-consecrated on 
August 15, 1903. 

Owing to increased amount of pastoral work the 
Rev. D. H. Reiter resigned this congregation in the 
spring of 1905. 

Being assured of aid by the synodical Home Mis- 
sion Board the congregation was formed into a separ- 
ate parish. It immediately decided to call a pastor, 
and accordingly sent a call to Rev. G. S. Fegely who 
accepted the same and was installed as pastor on July 
16, 1905. During this pastorate a new bell which had 



226 JUBILEE VOLUME 

been previously secured was consecrated and a new 
pipe organ installed. The full services according 
to the Church Book were introduced and a Luther 
League organized. Brief, but efficient and invaluable 
to this congregation, was this devoted life which the 
Lord in His inscrutable Wisdom closed through death 
on May 18, 1908. 

The congregation then extended a call to Rev. War- 
ren Nickel, of the "Kellers Parish" who was installed 
as pastor on September 20, 1908 'by Rev. LB. Kurtz, 
President of Conference. On October 26, 1908 the 
congregation decided to become self-sustaining. 

Owing to lack of room in the new church it was 
decided on April 26, 1911, to add a Sunday school 
room to the present building. Messrs. Jonas M. 
Landis, W. F. Goettler and Ernest Strasser were ap- 
pointed the Building Committee. This committee 
deserves credit for its constant and careful oversight 
until the well arranged building was completed. 
Special services for a week of rejoicing were ar- 
ranged. The following brethren participated: 

D. H. Reiter, F. Berkemeyer, C. C. Snyder, J. L. 
Becker, D. D., C. G. Beck, W. U. Kistler, W.O. Fegely, 
J. W. Schantz, B. F. Luckenbill, J. H. Waidelich, F. 
M. Urich, H. S. Paules, P. A. Laury and T. E. 
Schmauk, D.D., LL.D., President of the General 
Council. 

In 1915 the church was re-carpeted and the chancel 
re-arranged. 

In this splendidly equipped and commodious build- 
ing this congregation of almost 500 members and the 
450 children enrolled in the Sunday School should 






NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 227 

experience marked spiritual development under faith- 
ful pastoral oversight, the preaching of the pure Word 
and administration of the Sacraments. And through 
the inspiration of its auxiliaries, a choir of 26 voices, 
a Ladies' Aid of 125 members, a Luther League of 
200, and 50 "United Men," this congregation's influ- 
ence ought to bring many souls and the saving Christ 
together in its own community, yea even God's great 
world round. May the Triune God through His 
Spirit grant it. Amen. 



ST. JOHN'S, SPINNERSTOWN 



ST. JOHN'S, Spinnerstown, Pa., popularly known 
as Scheetz's Church is located in the upper end of 
Bucks County, Pa., nearly half a mile west of Spin- 
nerstown. 

The date of its organization is somewhat in doubt. 
There are records of baptisms and other congregation- 
al items as early as 1734. These would indicate it to 
be one of the oldest congregations in the country. 
From this early date until 1762 the Lutherans wor- 
shipped with the Reformed, located about a mile above 
Spinnerstown and it is believed that with an occasional 
supply they were served by the pastor of the latter de- 
nomination. Owing to dissatisfactions the Lutherans 
withdrew from this union in 1762 and located on their 
present site. Here a parcel of ground was donated 
to the congregation by Elder Scheetz hence the popu- 
lar name of the church. A log building of primitive 
style was erected in 1763. This was used until 1820 



228 JUBILEE VOLUME 

when it was replaced iby a small but neat stone struc- 
ture which served the congregation until 1874. In 
this year the present substantial stone building 60 x 
40 ft. in dimensions was built at a cost of $10,000. 
This was, at the time, a neatly furnished and then 
modernly equipped church with a large main auditor- 
ium with side galleries. A basement containing three 
rooms and a large vestibule which are well suited for 
Sunday School purposes is all above ground and well 
lighted. For over one hundred years this congre- 
gation struggled in poverty. It was small in mem- 
bership and weak in influence but it won out at last. 
Under the very able guidance and direction and busi- 
ness like management of the Rev. O. F. Waage its 
membership increased from one hundred to four hun- 
dred. This growth and success was chiefly owing to 
a flourishing Sunday school established by him in 1869. 
With regard to the early pastors of this congregation 
nothing definite can be stated. There is good proof 
however that Henry M. Muhlenberg paid visits and 
held occasional services at this church. It is known 
that his son F. Aug. Muhlenberg supplied it during 
a vacancy in 1778. It is believed that the congre- 
gation was connected with St. Paul's, Red Hill from 
the beginning. From 1789 the pastors were: 

Rev. Charles B. Dannapfel to 1790, Rev. Christian 
Espich to 1793, Rev. Fred Wm. Geissenhainer, Sr., to 
1808, Rev. Jacob Miller to 1829, Rev. Frederick 
Waage to 1868, Rev. O. F. Waage to 1903, Rev. Wm. 
U. Kistler to the present time. 

Mr. Jonas Scheetz and his wife, the former under 
the pastorate of Rev. Waage and the latter under tf.iat 




ST. JOHN'S, SPINNERSTOWN 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 229 

of Rev. Kistler, together bequeathed $15,000, as an 
endowment to the church. 

Rev. F. Waage and his son O. F. Waage served this 
congregation for three quarters of a century. The 
latter resigned in 1903 whereupon St. John's was unit- 
ed with St. Mark's Pennsburg into a charge. In 
April of 1904 Rev. Wm. U. Kistler was unanimously 
elected pastor. He took charge in September, 1904. 
Installation services were held in the afternoon of 
November 20, 1904. Steps were immediately taken to 
renovate the church building and to enlarge and im- 
prove the cemetery. On all the improvements to the 
property covering several years, more than $5,000 was 
spent. Two plots of ground were purchased contain- 
ing about 6 acres. There is now a congregation of 
very nearly 500 confirmed members, A Sunday school 
of 250, a flourishing Luther League and an active 
Ladies' Aid Society. 

St. John's has given three men for the ministry : 
Rev. Elmer E. Schantz, Rev. Joseph S. Schantz and 
Rev. E. D. S. Boyer. 



SPRING CITY LUTHERAN, 
SPRING CITY 



AS far back as the late sixties Lutheran services 
were held at intervals in what was then the bor- 
ough of Springville, and were conducted by neighbor- 
ing ministers, principal among whom were Rev. Henry 
S. Miller and Rev. William Weaver, both of whom 
helped considerably in the movement to found a con- 
gregation in the town. From the beginning of the 
year 1870 the Lutherans in the town assembled fairly 
regularly in a hall for worship and elected a provi- 
sional Church Council. Some time during the follow- 
ing year a school-house, no longer needed by the town, 
was purchased by Jesse Finkbiner, a member of the 
Church Council, and offered to the Lutherans at a 
meeting held on December 18, 1871. Frederick Die- 
mer, one of the Building Committee of Zion's Church, 
East Pikeland, moved to take steps toward raising the 
funds necessary to pay for and furnish the recently 
acquired building. The project now being on a suc- 
cessful way, old Zion's Church transferred to the in- 
fant congregation her members living in the borough 
and thus added another congregation to her creditable 
list of daughters. These members were all descend- 
ants of the oldest families and settlers in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The congregation began its more independent life 
and the holding of regular services at the coming of 
Rev. Jacob NerT, its first pastor, in September, 1872, 
though for the first several years of his pastorate he 

230 




SPRING CITY 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 231 

served also the mother congregation. In August, 
1875, the congregation secured its charter. As the 
work prospered under the care of Pastor Neff the 
small re-modeled school-house soon ceased to answer 
the needs of the people, and steps were taken toward 
building a more suitable and commodious place of 
worship which resulted in the present handsome 
churchly building which was dedicated to the services 
of God on June 27, 1880. The church was fitted 
throughout with the most substantial and best of ma- 
terials, which stands as a credit to their judgment and 
knowledge of what a place intended for worship ought 
to be. 

For twenty-five years Pastor Nell faithfully served 
the congregation, when he was called to enter into 
life, this having been his first and only pastorate. 
Largely due to his efforts, there grew out from his 
own congregation the prosperous and thriving Luth- 
eran congregation at Royersford. A large and com- 
modious parsonage was built adjoining the church and 
a two-manual pipe organ was installed in the main 
auditorium. Pastor Xeff was honored and loved as 
one of the most faithful and learned pastors that the 
town ever had. not only by his congregation but by the 
whole community, "A man in whom is no guile.'' 

At his death the congregation called to its head Rev. 
A. B. Macintosh upon his graduation from the Phila- 
delphia Seminary, who took charge on June 1, 1896. 
His pastorate was marked by the introduction of some 
new, yet very old, Lutheran practices into the life of 
the congregation. The liturgical services first began to 
be used and pastor and choir began wearing vestments 



232 JUBILEE VOLUME 

in conducting the worship. This was one of, if not 
the first, vested choirs in the Lutheran Church of 
Pennsylvania and the second in the United States. 
One of the styles of gowns for choirs, now very com- 
mon, was designed first for the Spring City choir. Dur- 
ing this pastorate the church auditorium was com- 
pletely renovated and beautified by putting in attrac- 
tive art glass windows. For five years Pastor Macin- 
tosh served the congregation when he was called to 
Grace Church, Bethlehem. 

Rev. D. Stewart Hoover followed and remained 
with the congregation two years, after which he took 
up work in a parish in New York. 

Rev. E. M. Grahn was next called as pastor and 
served almost six years, leaving to accept a charge at 
Albany, New York. He greatly systematized the con- 
gregation's affairs, re-arranged the records, graded the 
Sunday-school and introduced the graded system of 
lessons. Also during this pastorate the Gregorian 
musical setting of the services was introduced, much 
to the edification of the people. 

Rev. H. A. Weaver was called to the pastorate, com- 
ing directly from the Philadelphia Seminary, and was 
in charge for five years, when he resigned to accept a 
call to Grace Church, Phillipsburg, N. J. He was fol- 
lowed by the present pastor, Rev. Charles E. Keim, 
this being the fourth pastor that began his ministerial 
work in the Spring City parish. 

This congregation all through her life has had the 
help of active and efficient organizations. The Sunday- 
school, actually beginning its existence before the con- 
gregation, has always been manned by an intelligent 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 233 

and devoted staff of officers and teachers. It has en- 
tirely taken care of and several times renovated its 
rooms and equipment. Missionary enterprises have al- 
ways awakened great interest and received a large 
financial response. The Ladies' Aid has to its credit 
the building, the frequent renovation and the entire 
maintenance of the parsonage. It has contributed in 
countless other ways to the welfare of the congrega- 
tion and fulfilled the function of a missionary society. 
The Luther League can point to much that is enduring 
in its work, has contributed through the devotional 
meetings, to the spiritual development of the young 
people, and maintained a healthy social intercourse 
between the members. The youngest of the organ- 
izations is a boys' organization, which has more care- 
fully looked after the young boys, given them clean 
sports and pleasures under Christian influences and 
brought into the services of the church their energy 
and zeal. 

The congregation, though comparatively young, has 
already some endowment, left by some of her devoted 
members who were active in the work and liberal in 
their contributions while living and who were desir- 
ous that the work should continue in the same pros- 
perous manner after their death. 



JOHN THE BAPTIST, STOWE 



THE first Slovak services in Pottstown, Pa., were 
conducted by Rev. A. L. Ramer, Ph.D., on De- 
cember 26, /1908, in Emmanuel Lutheran Church. 
Twenty-six persons were then present, most of whom 
received the Holy Communion. Services were con- 
tinued by Rev. Ramer with three or four services a 
year until 1911, when Student Paul Putra, then in the 
Philadelphia Lutheran Theological Seminary, began 
to serve these people more frequently. These services 
were continued by Mr. Putra until his removal from 
Philadelphia in 1914. The Superintendent, Rev. 
Ramer, again conducted an occasional service until 
1915, when Student Andrej Svasko, of the Allentown 
Preparatory School, began to hold services regularly 
once a month. The place of worship has been trans- 
ferred to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Stowe, Pa. 

On April 17, 1910, a modified form of the Consti- 
tution recommended by the General Council was 
adopted and a Church Council elected, whose mem- 
bers consisted of Paul Miklecz, Paul Macsek, John 
Bradovka, Paul Kustra, Paul Marasek, Paul Ganicz. 
The name adopted for the congregation is The Church 
of the Augsburg Confession of John the Baptist — 
Cirkev Augspurgskeho Vyznania Svateho Jano 
Krstitela. 

The number of members has varied at different 
times during its history, ranging from about twenty- 
five to forty communicants. Some of the members 
have their own homes and are permanently located. 

234 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 235 

wnile others are moving about from place to place and 
are here but for a brief period and then remove again 
to other localities, leaving the organization in an un- 
stable condition. The congregation has no church 
property of its own. 



ST. PETER'S, STOWE 



AGITATION which ultimately resulted in the or- 
ganization of a Sunday-school and congrega- 
tion in Stowe, began as early as 1887. Heading this 
movement was Rev. D. K. Kepner, pastor of Emman- 
uel Lutheran Church of Pottstown, and members of 
said church residing at Stowe and vicinity. In the 
spring of 1889 a petition, for some definite action, 
signed by 138 persons was presented to Emmanuel 
Church Council ; this was the beginning of what sub- 
sequently resulted in the erection of the present church 
edifice. This petition was referred by the council to a 
committee of the Beneficial Society, an organization 
which had previously 'been established in the interests 
of the extension of the Lutheran Church in Potts- 
town. This committee, m conjunction with a local 
committee composed of Marcy B. Rutter, O. W. 
Wentzel, William M. Engle, William H. Rutter,War- 
ren Y. Rhoads and William W. Bechtel, at once went 
to work to bring about the desired end. Their first 
step was to secure the consent of the Pottstown School 
Board to use the vacant room on the second floor of 
the public school building. The first meeting to or- 
ganize a Sunday-school was held in this room July 7, 



236 JUBILEE VOLUME 

1889. One hundred and five persons were in attend- 
ance. At this session J. D. Royer and Marcy Rutter 
were appointed to prepare a plan for organization. 
They reported the following Sunday, with the result 
that an organization was effected and teachers ap- 
pointed. 

The second organization of this new enterprise was 
the Ladies' Aid Society, organized June 14, 1890, with 
fifteen members. 

The first church service was held Sunday, August 
21, 1892, by Rev. I. B. Kurtz, D.D., who was at the 
time a student at the Theological Seminary at Mt. 
Airy, Philadelphia. On June 1, 1893, after his ordi- 
nation, Dr. Kurtz, having been elected the assistant of 
Rev. Kepner, conducted weekly services at Stowe and 
at the preaching point established at High and Green 
Streets, Pottstown. He resigned May 1, 1895, and 
Rev. L. J. Bickel was elected by Emmanuel congre- 
gation to serve in the same capacity as his predecessor. 

On June 2, 1894, the first definite steps were taken 
by Emmanuel council to erect a chapel. At the July 
meeting the following building committee was ap- 
pointed : J. M. Fisher, J. J. Rader, Benjamin Mertz, 
J. S. Kline and M. R. Davidheiser. Ground was 
broken on the 16th of July, 1894, at the corner of Wal- 
nut Street and Glasgow Road. The ground was the 
donation of Thomas Rutter, Esq. A 30-foot lot adjoin- 
ing the original plot was later purchased from Mr. 
Rutter for the sum of $300. The cornerstone was laid 
on August 19, 1894, at 3 P. M. The services were in 
charge of Revs. Kepner and Kurtz. Addresses were 
delivered by Rev. J. Neff, of Spring City, in English, 




ST. PETER'S, STOWE 



2 3 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 237 

and Rev. A. M. Weber, of Boyertown, in German. 
Revs. O. P. Smith, D.D., and L. J. Bickel assisted in 
the services. 

The first service held in the new edifice was the 
Christmas festival of the Sunday-school, December, 
1894. The first preaching service on the Sunday fol- 
lowing was conducted by Dr. Kurtz. 

The building was dedicated on Trinity Sunday, 
June 9, 1895. The dedicatory act was performed by 
Rev. Kepner. Rev. J. L. Becker, D.D., preached in 
German, and Rev. H. A. Weller, D.D., in English. 
Rev. O. P. Smith, D.D., as president of the Confer- 
ence, delivered a congratulatory address, and Rev. L. 
J. Bickel assisted in the services. 

The cost of building the chapel was approximately 
$8,500. Of this amount $576.04 was contributed in 
labor ; the Ladies' Aid and Sunday-school contributed 
in cash, respectively, $345 and $450. 

The first effort at organizing a congregation was 
made early in the spring of 1895, but failed of con- 
summation. A second effort in 1896 proved more suc- 
cessful. On the evening of May 13, 1896, a joint meet- 
ing of committees representing St. James' and St. 
Peter's missions was held in St. Peter's chapel to con- 
sider and arrange plans for organizing congregations 
at both places. I. G. Romich was appointed chairman 
and H. G. Moser, secretary. H. G. Moser, M. L. Harp 
and Charles Egolf were appointed to canvass the Stowe 
district and ascertain the names of those who desired 
organization. The canvass resulted in the securing 
of 105 names of people who expressed such a desire. 
The matter was presented to Emmanuel Church Coun- 



238 JUBILEE VOLUME 

cil, and that body at their regular meeting in June 
unanimously resolved to approve of organization, and 
appointed a committee to take necessary steps to ef- 
fect the same. The preliminary meeting of this com- 
mittee was held in the chapel on June 15, 1896. A 
constitution committee was appointed, consisting of 
Rev. D. K. Kepner, Thomas G. Rutter, H. G. Moser, 
William E. Rhoads and F. B. Yorgey. A second meet- 
ing was held on July 6, the report of the constitution 
committee received, and the constitution adopted. On 
the 25th of July a third meeting convened and the 
members of the Church Council elected as required by 
the constitution. 

The first officers were F. B. Yorgey and Mahlon H. 
Egolf, elders; Marcy B. Rutter, Charles Egolf, Mar- 
tin L. Hays and Henry G. Moser, deacons. They were 
installed at the Sunday evening service, August 2, 
1896, by Rev. Kepner. 

Rev. L. J. Bickel continued to serve the newly or- 
ganized congregation as supply until January 1. 1897. 
At the fall meeting of the • Norristown Conference, 
1896, St. Peter's and St. James' congregations were 
received into organic connection with 'The Minister- 
ium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States," and were 
constituted a charge to be known as St. James and St. 
Peter's parish, Pottstown. 

December 5, 1896, Rev. L. J. Bickel was elected 
pastor of the parish. He accepted the call and was in- 
stalled in St. Peter's Church, February 24, 1897, by 
Revs. D. K. Kepner and Z. H. Gable. 

On November 8, 1897, a Luther League was organ- 
ized with 74 members. This branch organization has 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 239 

ever since been helpful in the educational develop- 
ment of the congregation. 

In March, 1910, the interior of the church was cal- 
cimined and re-varnished and a new set of altar cover- 
ings donated to the congregation by the Ladies' Aid 
Society. 

On May 1, 1910, Rev. Bickel relinquished the pas- 
torate of St. James' and St. Peter's parish. Rev. A. 
W. Lindenmuth, Ph.D., was elected his successor and 
took charge of the field on October 3, 1910. He was 
installed on October 10, by Rev. N. E. Miller, presi- 
dent of Conference. Notable improvements were made 
to the church property during his pastorate. Among 
them were the erection of sheds during the summer of 
1911 and the installation of a steam heating plant dur- 
ing September and October of 1913. 

In September, 1914, the congregation was richly 
blessed in the receipt of $2,000 in gold first mortgage 
bonds from the estate of Jacob Sotter. The pastorate 
of Rev. Dr. Lindenmuth ended November 30, 1914. 

The third and present pastor of St. Peter's is Rev. 
J. S. Savacool, who accepted the unanimous call of the 
parish February 22, 1915. He took charge of the 
work June 22, 1915, and was installed by Rev. War- 
ren Nickel, president of the Conference, on August 1 
of the same year. The congregation rejoices in the 
fact that it can look back upon a steady growth both 
numerically and in efficiency. The present member- 
ship is two hundred and fifty. 



ST. JOHN'S, SUMNEYTOWN 



FROM data at hand, it seems that for a num- 
ber of years the building of a church at Sum- 
neytown was agitated, but no definite steps for the 
erection of such a church were taken until September 
26, 1857. At a duly called meeting held in the Acad- 
emy building, on the aforesaid date, it was unanimous- 
ly decided to build a union church and the following 
Building Committee was elected : Lutherans, John 
Wambold, Jacob Jacoby; trustee, Amos Kepner. On 
the Reformed side, John Ruekstuhl, John Kepp and 
William Rudy trustee. By voluntary subscriptions 
the people of the neighborhood supplied the necessary 
funds and material for the erection of the church, and 
each one, full of zeal and vim, worked with might and 
main until the building was completed. The church 
was built of stone and patterned after the little church 
on New Street, Philadelphia, and the Old Goshenhop- 
pen Church, of which latter church St. John's is a 
child. The corner-stone was laid by Rev. H. Grahn on 
May 24, 1858, in the presence of a large and happy 
assemblage. The church received the name Frieden's 
Union Church. 

On the day of Pentecost, 1859, the church was sol- 
emnly dedicated and the dedication services were con- 
ducted by Rev. H. Wendt. 

The founders and builders, conscious of the doc- 
trinal differences of the congregations to worship 
therein, felt constrained at the very beginning to safe- 
guard the interests of both congregations. They 

240 




ST. JOHN'S, SUMXEYTOYVN 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 241 

caused therefore certain articles of agreements to be 
drawn up, which were signed by the respective Build- 
ing Committee. 

The first election of a Church Council took place on 
March 24, 1860. Elders, George Andreas, John 
Eidenmiller, William Sheid, David Hoot, William 
Hauberger, Daniel Miller ; deacons, Amos Kepner, 
John Royer, John Jones, Jonas Boyer and Andreas 
Schwartz. No organization of the Church Council 
was effected until the second election for Church 
Council, which was held August 30, 1863, when John 
Eidenmiller was elected president ; David Hoot, sec- 
retary, and Andreas Schwartz, treasurer. This organ- 
ized council, recognizing the importance of incorpora- 
tion, had a committee appointed to take the necessary 
steps to secure a charter and adopt a constitution. Cer- 
tain articles of agreement relative to the cemetery ad- 
joining the church and rules governing public services 
in the church, were drawn up and properly sign- 
ed and submitted to the Court at Norristown and were 
ratified by the same. But the incorporation did not 
take place until 1870, when Rev. W. B. Fox was the 
pastor ; nor was a regular constitution adopted until 
April 30, 1911, when Rev. Cyrus E. Held was 
the pastor, and a charter granted by the Court June 
6, 1911. 

At a council meeting held on March 19, 1864, the 
pastor suggested that steps be taken to form a parish 
and asked council to appoint a member of the council 
to accompany an official from the Pennsburg congre- 
gation to Sassamansville to open negotiations for the 
formation of such a parish. 



242 , JUBILEE VOLUME 

From a record of the St. Luke's congregation, at a 
meeting held at Sumneytown, of representatives of 
Sumneytown, Pennsburg, Sassamansville and St. 
Luke's, in February 1868, it was decided to report to 
the individual congregations that such a union would 
be acceptable and apparently was adopted by the con- 
gregations and ratified by Conference, which convened 
at Trappe, October 4, 1868, and which parish was con- 
tinued up to 1904, when Pennsburg and Sassamans- 
ville withdrew, and according to a resolution of 1904, 
St. Luke's and St. John's each paid $450 to Pennsburg 
and Sassamansville, to satisfy their claim in the par- 
sonage located at Sumneytown,. Pa., thus completely 
severing all relations with the aforesaid congregations, 
and since that time St. Luke's and St. John's con- 
tinued as the Sumneytown parish. The congregation 
has been served by six pastors since its organization. 
The exact duration of each individual pastorate can 
not be stated, but Rev. H. Wendt was the first pastor, 
though serving only as supply, being pastor of the 
Swamp parish at New Hanover, Pa., and represented 
St. John's at the dedication of the church in 1859. His 
pastorate approximately extended from 1859 to 1861, 
only two baptisms being recorded by him in 1861. 

The second pastorate and the first regularly called 
minister was the Rev. G. A. Struntz, of Carlisle, Pa., 
who served the congregation from March 16, 1862, 
until April 22, 1866. Of the last class confirmed (by 
him two members, viz., Mrs. Francis Reed and Mrs. 
Jacob Scholl, are still living and active members of the 
church. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 243 

The third pastor was Rev. E. J. Fleckenstein, who 
was called to this field of labor in 1866 and served the 
parish up to 1868. After his resignation a call was 
extended to the Rev. W. B. Fox, of the Berwick par- 
ish, who accepted the call and entered upon the duties 
of this pastorate in. 1868 and served the congregation 
most acceptably until April 1, 1905, when by reason 
of ill health he was compelled to relinquish the work 
and soon after was called to his reward. He was 
eminently successful and during his pastorate a par- 
sonage was secured ; two new churches built within the 
parish ; the separation of the large parish effected ; the 
church building renovated and the church incorporated 
in 1870, and the division of two union churches ef- 
fected. 

On May 5, 1905, Rev. Charles F. Dapp, still a stu- 
dent at Mt. Airy Theological Seminary, received a call 
to become the pastor, which he accepted, and on July 
5, 1905, he began the work in this field and most faith- 
fully served them until August 21, 1910. Rev. C. F. 
Dapp did splendid work along distinctive Lutheran 
lines, introducing the full liturgy of the church as well 
as paving the way in other respects, making it easier 
for his successor to introduce other distinctly Luth- 
eran customs and usages. 

The sixth pastor and present incumbent is Rev. 
Cyrus E. Held, who was called from Shenandoah, 
Pa., to this parish on November 1, 1910. During his 
pastorate a constitution was adopted, a charter se- 
cured, a Junior Luther League organized, having a 
membership of 126 ; a Ladies' Sewing Circle organ- 
ized with a membership of between 40 and 50; a Sen- 



244 



JUBILEE VOLUME 



ior Luther League, with a membership of some 50, and 
a Boys' Brigade, which is doing a grand work along 
Bible lines, attendance at church and Sunday-school. 
Also the entire Graded System of our Sunday-school 
literature was introduced in 1911, which, however, is 
used alternately, being a union Sunday-school. 

The congregation has a life and history of 55 years ; 
during these years the membership has greatly in- 
creased, as has also the material interests of the con- 
gregation, consequently the responsibilities are also 
greater and the question of importance is, Will we 
measure up to our responsibility ? 



ST. PAUL'S, TELFORD 



ON January 11, 1906 the Lutherans living in the 
Boroughs of Telford and West Telford, held 
a meeting for the purpose of organizing a Lutheran 
congregation. This meeting was represented by sixteen 
heads of families. After due deliberation, it was 
unanimously resolved to organize a Lutheran con- 
gregation to be known as St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran 
congregation of the W>st Telford Borough. The 
constitution recommended by the General Council 
for Lutheran congregations was adopted, and six dea- 
cons were elected. At this meeting, it was also re- 
solved to apply to the courts of Montgomery County, 
for a charter. This application was signed by all 
present, viz., sixteen heads of families. The organ- 
ization was effected in the Union Chapel, built in 
1876. In April, 1906, the Union Chapel Association 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 245 

offered the building and ground at public sale. Mr. B. 
F. Wolf, a member of St. Paul's, bought the building 
and ground, containing 100x200 feet. On November 
28, 1906, Mr. Wolf deeded the building and ground to 
the corporation of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran congrega- 
tion for a consideration of $1,033. April 19, 1906, the 
congregation bought four acres of ground, west of 
Telford, from Enos Holteman for the consideration of 
$900, for cemetery purposes. In 1907, March 16th 
it was unanimously decided by the congregation to 
erect a new and larger church building on the lot 
previously procured. The corner-stone of this new 
church building was laid on July 7, 1907, when the 
Pastor C. R. Fetter was assisted by Revs. D, H. Reiter, 
J. H. Waidelich and J. L. Becker, D.D. On March 3, 
1908 with great rejoicing this small but energetic con- 
gregation consecrated their church building, Dr. G. F. 
Spieker of the Lutheran Seminary, Mt. Airy, preaching 
the dedicatory sermon. The whole plant cost $11,000. 
The congregation had from the very beginning an 
active and flourishing Missionary Society; an active 
Ladies' Aid Society which has not only been a great 
aid to the congregation, but also to our Orphan's Home 
at Germantown. The Luther League was organized 
in April of 1915. This League has been a very 

helpful adjunct to the congregation since its or- 
ganization. Its present membership is 99. The ser- 
vices in St. Paul's, from its very beginning, have been 
in the English language with the exception of the last 
Sunday in the month, when they are German. The 
Sunday-school of the congregation from its very in- 
ception has been a very great help to the congregation. 



246 • JUBILEE VOLUME 

The present membership of St. Paul's is 155. It 
may be said that St. Paul's is the latest outgrowth of 
the missionary activities along the North Penn Dis- 
trict. This congregation is supplied by the pastor 
of the Old Gosh'enhoppen parish. 



PEACE, (TOHICKON) BEDMINSTER 



THE Tohickon church, formerly, sometimes called 
"Bergensee," is located in the northwest cor- 
ner of Bedminister Township, Bucks County, Pa. It 
is jointly owned by the Lutheran and Reformed con- 
gregations. The origin of this congregation dates 
back to the earliest days of the settlement of eastern 
Pennsylvania, mainly by German immigrants, and its 
early history is partially enveloped in darkness. So 
much, however, is certain that Rev. Heinrich Melchior 
Muhlenberg found already a nucleus of a congrega- 
tion there when he arrived from Germany in 1742. 
He soon commenced preaching on week days for that 
"small and poor flock." Encouraged by him they 
bought a small strip of land for 15 shillings, the deed 
for which was dated September 1, 1743. On this 
strip of ground they built a school house for worship 
and school purposes. Muhlenberg contributed to the 
building according to his ability. Part of this ground 
was fenced in for a burial place. When the synod 
was organized in 1748, the Tohickon congregation 
deemed it desirable to unite with the Synod, and sent 
two delegates to the convention in 1750, with a peti- 
tion for formal reception. The action on this matter 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 247 

was postponed, for the next year, when Synod thought 
it best to connect the congregation with the Indian- 
field and Old Goshenhoppen churches, which likewise 
had made application for reception. Candidate Lu- 
cas Rauss who had arrived from Hungaria, was re- 
commended and ordained as pastor for the parish in 
1752. He opened the church record in a very befit- 
ting manner. The list of baptisms he headed. 
ALPHA OMEGA 

Nomina Nomina Nomina 

parentium baptizantium sponsorum 

He was a learned man, well qualified for the holy 
office, but in behavior sometimes imprudent, and often 
even offensive, not able to win the affection of the peo- 
ple, he resigned in 1753. Confusion and an interim 
was the natural consequence. This untimely open- 
ing was a welcome opportunity for the independent 
preachers. Tohickon was soon supplied with one of 
them by the name of Schaefer, who, however, soon 
disappeared. Another was ready to occupy the va- 
cancy by the name of Johan Joseph Roth in 1753. 
Under him the congregation bought another tract of 
land containing one acre and 15 perches, for 5 shillings. 
A deed was executed September 6, 1753. The suc- 
cessor of Roth was John Wolf Litzel, January 1, 1765. 
Ph. H. Rupp succeeded him in the same year. Un- 
der his pastorate the first regular church was built 
and dedicated by him, as appears from his record in 
these words: "A. D. 1766, May 8th on Ascension Day 
our new stone church was solemnly and publicly dedi- 
cated by myself and Mr. Alsentz of the Reformed con- 



248 JUBILEE VOLUME 

gregation. On this occasion my text was taken from 
I Kings 8:28, 29, while Mr. Alsentz selected Isaiah 
56:7. Testor Philippus Henricus Rupp." P. H. 
Rupp left the congregation in 1771. The debt on 
church was lifted in 1776. Tired of their independent 
preachers the congregation was glad to return and live 
under the mild rules of synod, but not before they had a 
chance to unite with the Indianfield and Old Goshen- 
hoppen churches which had in 1772 elected Conrad 
Roeller as their pastor. In order to bind the three 
congregations closer together they bought a piece of 
land containing 160 acres near Tylersport where Rev. 
Roeller settled and resided until his death, in 1799. 
Muhlenberg bears testimony of his life and character 
in these words : "That he adorned the teachings of 
Christ by a pious conduct and enjoyed the highest es- 
teem and love of all well minded men." He was a 
faithful educator and teacher of the young. When 
he died his son George was studying theology under 
Rev. Geissenhainer. In order not to interrupt his 
course the latter supplied the vacant charge temporari- 
ly until George had finished his studies and was ordain- 
ed. He became pastor in 1800. The present church 
was built under his pastorate in 1837, at a cost of 
$3,000. He died, March 27, 1840, and his remains 
rest on the west side of the Indianfield church. Rev. 
E. Peixotto was elected pastor and entered upon his 
labors April 1, 1841. He was a noble man, hailing 
from Austria, had a complete education, was for a 
short time priest in the Catholic church, but being con- 
vinced of the errors and abuses of Romanism, he 
sought and found the truth in the Lutheran church, 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 249 

which he cheerfully joined. After his arrival in this 
country he became assistant pastor of Zion church, 
Philadelphia. He resigned the parish in 1864 on ac- 
count of political trouble in the congregation, and 
moved to the Trappe. His successor was F. Waltz 
from Lykens Valley parish. He was elected in the 
fall of 1864, and assumed charge of the parish Janu- 
ary 1, 1865. Father Waltz faithfully labored here 
for 28 years and 3 months until April 1, 1893. In 
the year 1881, under the pastorate of Rev. Waltz a 
new roof was put on the church building, and the in- 
terior of the church renovated, the ceiling and walls 
frescoed, the wood work inside and outside painted, 
new pews installed, all costing $2,100. On the day 
of the re-opening the pastor was assisted by Revs. B. 
Sadtler, D.D., F. Berkemeyer, O. F. Waage, J. L. 
Becker and D. H. Reiter. November 14, 1883, the 
congregation celebrated the four hundredth birth- 
day of Dr. Martin Luther. Rev. Struntz de- 
livered a suitable and impressive sermon on 
the great reformer. C. R. Fetter of the Pine Valley 
charge, Schuylkill County, Pa., was in the fall of 1892 
elected successor to Father Waltz, assuming charge 
of the congregation and parish, April 1, 1893. He 
was installed by the retiring pastor, who, had been 
elected pastor emeritus, delivering the charge to 
the pastor, and Rev. Becker to the people. P^ather 
Waltz based his sermon on I. Cor. 15 : 58. During 
the fall of 1897, the painting inside and the frescoing 
received a thorough overhauling. With the present 
pastorate English, for the first time in the history of 
the congregation, was introduced. On November 6, 



250 JUBILEE VOLUME 

1898 the congregation celebrated the 150th anniversary 
or jubilee of the organization of the Ministerium of 
Pennsylvania and Adjacent States. The pastor was 
assisted by Dr. Cooper, Revs. Waltz, Becker and 
Nickel. The congregation numbers about 400 mem- 
bers at the present time. 



CHRIST, TOWAMENCIN 



CHRIST Church is located on the Sumneytown 
Turnpike (Maxatawny Road) about four miles 
west of Lansdale and nine miles east of the Trappe. 

One hundred and sixty perches of ground were 
donated by Isaac Wampole, conveyancer, and uncle of 
Rev. Jacob Wampole the first pastor of the Lutheran 
Congregation. This lot, by deed duly executed and 
recorded at Norristown, "was conveyed. . . .as and for 
a site for a church and burial ground for the use and 
accommodation of the said Evangelical Lutheran Con- 
gregation of Christ Church, and the German Evan- 
gelical Reformed Congregation of the said church." 

The corner-stone was laid on Whitmonday, May 23, 
1833, the Rev. George Roeller of the Old Goshenhop- 
pen charge being the Lutheran minister officiating. 

The church, erected at a cost of $2178.64^/2, was 
consecrated October 15, 1833, in the presence of a large 
concourse of people. The following were the Luther- 
an ministers who took part in this service : Revs. 
Philip F. Mayer D.D. who performed the act of con- 
secration, C. R. Demme D.D., George Roeller, George 
Heilig and Jacob Wampole. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 251 

The first Church Council was elected October 19, 
1833. 

On September 27, 1834 at a regularly called meet- 
ing "Rules for the Government of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Congregation of Christ Church" were adopt- 
ed. These "Rules" were the governing constitution 
until December, 1889 when the Charter and Constitu- 
tion, or By-laws, under which the congregation is oper- 
ating at this time, were adopted. 

The pastorates have been as follows : Rev. Jacob 
Wampole 1833-34; Rev. John W. Richard 1834-36; 
Rev. Jacob Wampole 1836-38; Rev. Henry S. Miller 
1838-52; Rev. G. A. Wenzel 1852-54; Rev. A. S. Link 
1854-59; Rev. Geo. Sill 1859-63; Rev. F. Berkemeyer 
1864-66; Rev. E. J. Fleckenstein 1866-68; Rev. W. B 
Fox 1868-71 ; students and others 1871-73; Rev. S. A. 
Ziegenfuss 1873-76; Rev. James L. Becker 1877 . 

After the consecration of Christ Church, Rev. Jacob 
Wampole took charge of the Lutheran Congregation 
and thus the congregation became a part of the large 
charge consisting of Zion's and St. Peter's, Chester 
County, and Limerick and Trappe, Montgomery 
County. This enlarged parochial district so over- 
taxed the strength of the pastor that in January, 1834, 
he resigned part of his charge. 

The congregations vacated by Rev. Wampole, viz., 
Trappe, Limerick and Towamencin, were now consti- 
tuted a separate charge, to which was added the 
English congregation of Pottstown in 1834 and the 
New Jerusalem (Keely's) Congregation in 1836. 
Pottstown withdrew in 1848 and Limerick in 1853. 



252 JUBILEE VOLUME 

In this parish connection Christ Congregation re- 
mained until 1863. 

During the early life of the congregation the wave 
of emotional religionism or "new measures," which 
passed over the "old mother Synod," threatened the 
peace and progress of Christ Church. That it did 
not sweep the congregation from its churchly moorings 
was, no doubt, largely due to the action taken by the 
Council on February 2, 1840, prohibiting the holding 
of meetings in the church in sympathy with this inno- 
vation. The "new measure" movement together with 
the political agitations during the Civil War, led to 
strife and confusion in the parish and brought several 
pastorates to sudden and unexpected ends. This fre- 
quent change of pastors aroused feelings of dissatis- 
faction among the members of Christ Church and on 
December 21, 1863 the congregation severed its con- 
nection with the Trappe charge. 

The congregation, now being without regular parish 
connection, was served from 1864 to 1873 by the pas- 
tor of the Hilltown charge, by pastors of the Sum- 
neytown charge, and by students and other supplies. 

At the meeting of the First District Conference of 
the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, held January, 1873, 
Christ Church and St. Michael's, Sellersville, were 
constituted a pastoral charge. Ridge Valley was add- 
ed in 1874. 

The last parish change of the congregation was 
made in 1888 when Christ Church, Towamencin and 
Trinity, Lansdale were formed into a new parish 
known as the Lansdale parish. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 253 

The ahuroh erected in 1833, without material altera- 
tion and with the least possible repairs, served the 
congregations until 1912. As early as 1881 a proposi- 
tion to re-model the old building, was considered, but 
on investigation it was found that the condition of 
the walls did not warrant the expense. At the same 
time a growing consciousness made itself felt that it 
would be to the interest of both congregations if each 
had its own house of worship. With this end in 
view various efforts were made to come to an under- 
standing respecting an equitable division of the prop- 
erty, but it became evident that the time was not ripe 
for such a forward step. By patient waiting the 
problem was finally solved when on May 10, 1910 the 
congregations came to an amicable agreement that 
each congregation acquire ground for itself and erect 
its own Church, and that in due time all the ground 
now owned by them in common be used as a burial 
ground. As a result of this agreement two houses 
of worship now grace the locality of the old "Brick 
Church." 

On April 29, 1910 the Lutheran Congregation pur- 
chased a piece of ground adjoining the southeast boun- 
dary of the old location, and resolved to build a church 
in the year 1911. Plans were adopted, October 20, for 
a one story building with auditorium and Sunday 
school room, separated with sliding doors. The cor- 
ner-stone was laid May 28, the pastor being assisted 
by the Revs. W. Nickel, C. G. Beck, J. H. Waidelich 
and C. C. Snyder. The church was built of local 
stone at a cost of $12,830, and was consecrated April 
28, 1912. Services were held morning, afternoon and 



254 JUBILEE VOLUME 

evening, the following pastors participating : Revs. J. 
Fry, DD., LL.D., D. H. Reiter, G. A. Kercher, J. H. 
Waidelich, P. A. Laury, H. S. Pauks, C. C. Snyder 
and Warren Nickel. The first two preached the con- 
secratory sermons and the pastor performed the act of 
consecration. 

A Woman's, or "Dorcas Society" was organized 
May 8, 1907. Its object is to awaken and sustain a 
more active interest in the work of the congregation 
and of the church at large. This society was a very 
helpful factor in the building and furnishing of the 
new church. 

When the congregations were getting ready to oc- 
cupy their new churches the old Union Sunday School 
was dissolved by mutual consent and its property was 
equally divided. Realizing the importance of train- 
ing the young of one's household of faith in order that 
they may become active and efficient members of the 
church, a Sunday school was organized June 23, 1912 
by adopting a constitution in harmony with that of the 
congregation. The literature of the church is used 
and it is expected that this Bible school will become 
a strong arm in the life and work of the congregation. 

From the beginning the German and the English 
languages were used alternately. Services were held 
every four weeks until 1872, when it was decided by 
vote to have preaching twice in four weeks instead of 
once as heretofore. From October, 1912 an addi- 
tional English service is held every four weeks in the 
afternoon. 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 255 

The singing was conducted without an accompany- 
ing musical instrument until 1864 when a Mason and 
Hamlin cabinet organ was procured. 

The membership of the congregation in 1833, as 
indicated by the record of the first communion held 
December 22, was forty-two. This includes twenty 
catechumens confirmed at that time. At this writing 
the congregation numbers 358 members. 



AUGUSTUS, TRAPPE 



THE history of Augustus Church has been so ad- 
mirably written by Rev. E. T. Kretschmann, 
Ph.D., and interwoven into the "Life and Times of 
Muhlenberg," by Dr. Mann, that we do not attempt to 
give more than a brief summary of the vital and sig- 
nificant events in the long and useful career of this 
congregation. Its position and historic significance is 
more than local. It is a part of the first foreign mis- 
sion parish on American soil of the Lutheran Church 
in Germany, and the first expression of the home mis- 
sion activity of the Lutheran Church in America as it 
endeavored of its own accord, to struggle into life in 
order that the scattered Lutherans might be provided 
with the means of grace in the form and spirit which 
they loved. It is located in the borough of Trappe, 
Montgomery County, Pa., on the east side of the road 
known in Muhlenberg's time as the Great Road. This 
section was known as New Providence, being so 
named according to tradition by the followers of 
Roger Williams, who called the capital of Rhode Is- 



256 JUBILEE VOLUME 

land Providence a century before. A more plausible 
theory, however, is that it was named after New 
Providence, one of the West India Islands, as Craig, 
an early settler, came from that place, and the Lanes 
and Richardsons from the neighboring island of 
Jamaica. The earliest settlers were English. The 
Germans arrived about 1717, increasing rapidly there- 
after. 

The first traces of congregational life are found in 
a record of baptism under date of March 8, 1730, in 
the handwriting of John Casper Stoever, Jr., in the 
book afterwards used by Muhlenberg. Dr. Julius F. 
Sachse asserts that it was a part of the identical con- 
gregation formed by the Falckner brothers (The Ger- 
man Pietists of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1895). 

On September 25, 1732, John Christian Schultze ar- 
rived from Germany. Though probably never or- 
dained, he began his work as pastor at Philadelphia, 
Trappe and New Hanover, remaining only till the 
spring of 1733, when in company with two lay dele- 
gates he was sent to Europe by the three congrega- 
tions to solicit the necessary funds for the building 
of churches. He abused the confidence reposed in 
him, appropriated the money to his own use, was ar- 
rested at Augsburg, and never returned. 

Each of the three delegates was supplied with a col- 
lection book, containing an address to the benevolent, 
and certified with a Latin endorsement by Hon. Pat- 
rick Gordon, Governor of the Province. The "Provi- 
dence" or Trappe book is now in the archives of the 
Seminary at Mt. Airy, and bears the following in- 
scription in German : "Collection Book from the three 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 257 

Evangelical Lutheran Congregations at Philadelphia, 
New Hanover and Providence Townships." It closes 
with "Done in Philadelphia the second day of May, 
1733,'" and is signed by six men, two of whom were 
officers of the Trappe congregation. Before his re- 
turn to Germany Schultze ordained to the ministry 
John Casper Stoever, Jr., who became his successor 
as pastor, and who had already begun the church rec- 
ords as itinerary preacher. Within a year he removed 
to Lancaster Co., but continued his visits to Trappe, as 
the records show, until March 9, 1735. Thereafter the 
congregation was without pastoral care for nine years. 
For ten years their earnest and repeated call for a 
pastor had gone out to the fathers unheeded and un- 
answered, but still they labored, hoped and lived. 

In the light of this unmistakable evidence when the 
present generation pronounces its verdict upon the 
heroes of the past, in justice to itself and a riofht rec- 
ognition of their labors in those days of spiritual dis- 
tress and confusion, it is constrained to regard the 
year 1730 as the date of the congregation's organiza- 
tion. 

At last, amidst impending mists of doubt and moral 
chaos, when less heroic souls would have drowned 
their disappointments and despair in deeper sin and 
guilt, their constant pleadings sent an answering echo 
o'er the sea which woke to life the church that 
strangely hovered between life and death in the anes- 
thetic stupor of ignorance and neglect. On Septem- 
ber 6, 1741, at Halle. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg re- 
ceived the call through Gotthilf August Francke, which 
was later confirmed by Dr. Ziegenhagen, of London, 
to whom it had been sent. 



258 JUBILEE VOLUME 

On June 13, 1742, Muhlenberg sailed from the Eng- 
lish port. After a distressing voyage 'he landed in 
Charleston, September 23. Asserting his heroic man- 
hood, he surmounted many hindrances and found pas- 
sage for Philadelphia, where he landed November 25. 
He made little preparation for his own comfort. He 
was now in his parish, and proceeded at once to find 
it. He was in the midst of his own, and his own 
knew ihim not, neither knew he them. He had to in- 
troduce himself. The enormity of the task inspired 
him to quick and decisive action. He presented him- 
self forthwith to the congregation. In this whole dis- 
trict he found himself opposed by the deposed 
preacher, J. V. Kraft, who had assumed false author- 
ity. Muhlenberg proceeded the same day to New 
Hanover, where he was met by the opposition of the 
hired quack doctor (preacher), N. Schmidt. At New 
Providence (Trappe) he was joyfully received. Here 
he preached his introductory sermon in a barn on De- 
cember 12, 1742, the third Sunday in Advent, as re- 
corded in his own handwriting in the old records. 

This was the dawn of a new and better day. With 
these first faint gleams of light the church began to 
wipe the mists of chaos from its eyes, and to wake to 
life. Muhlenberg was accepted by the three congrega- 
tions December 25, 1742. That the congregation at once 
entered into the spirit of the work is not only mani- 
fested by the number of children who were brought 
to the sacrament of baptism, and the earnestness with 
which every one entered into the public service, but it 
finds its more definite expression in the decision that 
if the church is to exert its best influences and offer a 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 259 

lasting service it must have a permanent home. Al- 
ready after the celebration of Epiphany, Wednesday, 
January 5, 1743, Muhlenberg's fourth service, the con- 
gregation resolved to build a church. Prior to this 
they had done what they could for the advancement 
of education, the hand-maiden of religion. On this 
day Muhlenberg writes that a log school-house was 
already finished, so that the honor of building the first 
school-house in the township belongs to Augustus 
congregation, and to Muhlenberg belongs the distinc- 
tion as the first teacher who opened the school on 
January 10, 1743. There was a strong desire for paro- 
chial schools, but lack of teachers and means of sup- 
port made it an unsteady undertaking. Muhlenberg 
hoped for free schools. In 1754, through Muhlen- 
berg's efforts, Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Wm. Smith, 
first provost of the College and Academy of Philadel- 
phia — later the University of Pennsylvania — brought 
the need of free schools to the attention of the Soci- 
ety for the Propagation of the Gospel of London, with 
the result that six trustees were appointed to carry on 
the work of charity schools. Two members of the 
congregation were trustees for New Providence and 
Skippack. Difficulties and opposition caused the 
scheme to be abandoned after a few years, when the 
Society of London withdrew its support. The work 
of education was, however, continued by the congre- 
gation, and shortly after the act providing for public 
schools was accepted by the township the vestry rent- 
ed the school-house to the new directors in 1846. Thus 
the parochial school of Augustus Church passed out 



260 JUBILEE VOLUME 

of existence, and its building became the home of the 
first public school in the township. 

While they first laid the foundation for better edu- 
cation, they did not lose themselves in the charm of 
its possibilities, but prosecuted the specific work of 
the church with similar vigor. Early in January, 1743, 
the plans for the church building were submitted to 
the fathers in Germany for their information. It was 
to be constructed of stone 54 "shoes" long by 39 
"shoes'" wide, to cost about £200 Sterling, one hun- 
dred pounds having already been subscribed. It still 
stands in its original simplicity and ruggedness, a 
model of the rural architecture of the Fatherland, and 
with its hewn timbers, hand forged nails and irons, a 
mute expression of Colonial industry. 

On January 17th a number of members of the Re- 
formed Church visited Muhlenberg, in company with 
his officers, and desired the privilege of sharing in this 
undertaking and the use of the church for services at 
stipulated times. "They were told there were two 
ways possible — the way of equity and the way of 
charity." In the first instance they would have to pay 
their share of the expenses ; in the second they would 
receive proper recognition upon the records for the 
benefit of future generations, and if in the future they 
should desire to erect a church building the Lutherans 
would assist them. Thus the building of a union church 
was avoided and good fellowship preserved. For a 
number of years they were given the privilege of hold- 
ing services in the church. 

The mechanics worked with such zeal and rapidity 
that already on May 2, 1743, the cornerstone was laid 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 261 

in the presence of a large congregation. Muhlenberg 
preached the sermon in German and afterward made 
an address in English because of the presence of a 
large number of English-speaking people. At this ser- 
vice the church received the name of Augustus in 
honor of Hermann Augustus Francke, founder of the 
Halle institutions, whose son was especially influential 
in securing Muhlenberg's acceptance of the call. The 
congregation worshipped for the first time within the 
bare walls of the church on the 12th of September. 
At this time it was decided that the church should not 
be consecrated until it was complete in all its parts. 
The difficulty with which the necessary funds were 
secured delayed this work for two years, and the dedi- 
cation took place on October 6, 1745. On this occa- 
sion the dedicatory stone was placed in the wall over 
the south entrance and bears the following inscrip- 
tion in Latin : "Under the auspices of Christ, Henry 
Melchior Muhlenberg, together with his Council, I. 
N. Crosman, F. Marsteler, A. Heilman, I. Mueller, H. 
Haas and G. Kebner, erected from the foundation this 
building dedicated by the Society holding the Augs- 
burg Confession, A. D. 1743." Originally the floor of 
the church was paved with irregular native flat stones 
which the sexton covered with straw in winter, as 
they had not the luxury of a stove. The building never 
had a chimney. The aged and feeble brought hot 
planks and stones as foot-warmers. This floor was 
in use until 1814, when extensive repairs were made 
and a board floor laid. At this time the external ap- 
pearance of the church was completely altered when 
it was dashed with mortar. The gallery on the east 



262 JUBILEE VOLUME 

side was erected in 1751 to receive the organ recently 
purchased in Europe. It was consecrated by Muhlen- 
berg on the Sunday before October 31, 1751. It was 
one of the first pipe-organs used in rural Pennsylvania, 
serving continually until a few years before the new 
church was erected. It has since been desecrated and 
carried away by relic hunters until only the case re- 
mains. 

For two years Muhlenberg performed gigantic tasks 
amidst many difficulties, giving one-third of his time 
to each of the three congregations, and out of neces- 
sity doing the work of schoolmaster during the week. 
Alone he struggled with the overwhelming task. He 
constantly entreated the fathers to send him co-work- 
ers, and was finally rewarded with the assurance of 
assistance. This was realized when on January 26, 
1745, Peter Brunnholtz, J. N. Kurtz and J. H. Schaum 
landed in Philadelphia. It was a memorable day, redo- 
lent with joy and the source of a new inspiration. 

Brunnholtz first preached at New Providence on 
February 7, 1745. After five months, on account of 
his delicate health, he was assigned to the congrega- 
tions in Philadelphia and Germantown, while Muhlen- 
berg served the country congregations. Having 
previously purchased a plot of ground, Muhlenberg 
now took up his residence in Trappe, and commenced 
the building of a house. During his early visits to the 
/Lutheran congregation in Tulpehocken he became 
acquainted with J. Conrad Weiser, Jr., the govern- 
ment interpreter and Indian agent, and incidentally 
also with his daughter, Anna Maria, whom he mar- 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 263 

ried April 22, 1745, and moved into his new house at 
Trappe. 

From the beginning he labored and planned for the 
Church, not for the congregation only. The first ser- 
vices were very simple. He says : "The sermon occu- 
pies about an hour or three-quarters. Afterward I 
catechise the whole congregation on the subject of the 
sermon." In order to dignify the service and establish 
the use of uniform ceremonies, form and words in all 
the congregations, he held a conference with Brunn- 
holtz and Handshuh in 1747 to arrange the first lit- 
urgy for the Lutheran Church in America. The lit- 
urgy of the Savoy congregation of London was used 
as a basis to conciliate the minds of widely differing 
opinions arising from local usage and custom in the 
Fatherland, where almost every country town had its 
own. This was adopted shortly afterward by Synod 
with little opposition. In 1749 Benjamin Franklin print- 
ed Luther's Catechism in German for use in the congre- 
gation. He endeavored to instill a right spirituality 
and true regard for the office of the Church. With this 
in view, a week before the celebration of Holy Com- 
munion the members were required to meet the pas- 
tor at the church or school-house to be examined in 
regard to their spiritual condition and their relation to 
their neighbors. After the sermon at the confessional 
service the congregation gathered around the altar. 
Any who had publicly offended had to come forward 
and were affectionately reminded of their sin, and en- 
treated to repent. After the absolution, if any still 
harbored ill-will they would meet in the parsonage, 
forgive each other and be reconciled. 



264 JUBILEE VOLUME 

In 1750 the congregation adopted its first constitu- 
tion. It allowed the minister two votes on all ques- 
tions. No meeting could be held without him, and no 
resolution enforced without his signature. 

The congregation agreed to pay a salary of forty 
pounds ($106.66). What they could not pay in 
money they generously donated in provisions, but 
when Muhlenberg left they were in arrears for many 
years, which debt at a later visit he generously forgave 
them, saying "that the church was accordingly free 
from debt. Thank God." 

In 1750 the Synod, now the Ministerium of Penn- 
sylvania, held its third meeting in the church, in 1760 
its thirteenth, and in 1780 its thirty-third (special). 
Three times in all. A peculiar succession of threes 
for the middle one of the three original congrega- 
tions. 

At this time critical circumstances in the Philadel- 
phia congregation necessitated Muhlenberg's services, 
and he removed thither in September, 1761. Rev 
John Christopher Hartwick was appointed as assistant 
or substitute pastor. On account of internal dissen- 
sions he relinquished his position after six months' 
service. 

Jacob Van Buskirk, then a student serving at New 
Hanover, was engaged to preach every two weeks and 
Muhlenberg every six. He was examined in 1763 by 
Provost Wrangel and Muhlenberg, and ordained in 
the church at New Hanover. Under pressure of anxi- 
ety by the congregation for Muhlenberg's services, he 
discontinued them, in 1764. Then followed a va- 






NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 265 

cancy for almost a year, during which time the church 
stood empty, and the congregation became scattered. 

THE OLD CHURCH DURING THE REVOLUTION 

On September 19, 1777, Washington's army passed 
by the church all night. One regiment encamped at 
midnight near the church in front of Muhlenberg'^ 
house. On September 25 Muhlenberg entertained 
Lord Sterling, Gen. Wayne, their aides and officers at 
breakfast. September 26, Gen. Armstrong took up his 
headquarters in the church and school-house. The 
following morning, when, Muhlenberg came to the 
church for a funeral, he found it filled with soldiers. 
After the Battle of Germantown, October 4, the 
church was transformed into a hospital. The next day 
Washington visited the wounded and dying soldiers 
here. This was a time of danger for Muhlenberg, but 
he escaped all threats for want of suitable opportunity 
to carry them into effect. 

THE PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH DURING THE SUCCEED- 
ING PASTORATES 

Rev. John Ludwig Voigt, 1765-1790, was the first 
regularly elected pastor after Muhlenberg. He came 
from Germantown, lived at New Hanover, preached 
there every two weeks, and on the vacant Sunday al- 
ternated at Trappe and Pikeland. In 1792 he also 
preached at St. Peter's, beyond the French Creek, and 
added the little flock at Pottstown. In 1776 Muhlen- 
berg returned from Philadelphia and occupied his new 
house, as he had previously sold his former property. 
This was a practical resumption of his pastorate, 
Voigt remaining as assistant. Voigt was a skilled 



266 JUBILEE VOLUME 

musician and often played the organ when he conduct- 
ed services. In April, 1779, on account of the infirmi- 
ties of age, Muhlenberg finally resigned the Philadel- 
phia congregation. He preached his last sermon at 
Trappe, September 26, 1784. Infirmities and disease 
were fast oppressing him, and at midnight October 7, 
1787, "the soul of the great Patriarch returned to Him 
who gave it." He rests beside his wife and illustrious 
son, Gen. Peter, in the shadow of the old church which 
stands sentinel and monument to his memory and 
achievements. On the marble .slab which covers both 
his and the grave of his wife is the following inscrip- 
tion in Latin : 

SACRED 

BE THIS MONUMENT TO THE 

MEMORY OF THE BLESSED AND VENERABLE 

HENRY MELCHIOR MUHLENBERG, 

DOCTOR OF SACRED THEOLOGY AND 

SENIOR OF THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN 

MINISTERIUM. 

BORN SEPTEMBER 6, 1711. 

DIED OCTOBER 7, 1787. 

WHO AND WHAT HE WAS FUTURE 

AGES WILL NOT BE IGNORANT OF WITHOUT 

A STONE. 

Voigt served until 1790, but retained pastoral over- 
sight until 1793. 

John Frederick Weinland, 1790-1807, 
pastor at New Hanover, relieved Voigt of his duties 
at Trappe in 1790, and appears as the regular pastor. 
On March 20, 1805, the church was incorporated at 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 267 

the instance of Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, who defrayed 
the expenses. At this time there were two classes of 
contributors toward current expenses, viz., "members 
and non-members," the latter including a number of 
Reformed people who still worshipped in the church. 
Reformed were >not 'excluded from the pulpit. In the 
interim between his death in 1807 and the election of a 
new pastor, the Reformed minister, Rev. Germann, 
was engaged to supply the pulpit, showing the extreme 
laxity of prevailing conditions. 

Rev. John Peter Hecht— 1807-1813, 
a young man, eighteen years of age, commenced his 
services as supply and shortly thereafter became the 
regular pastor, being licensed by the Ministerium at 
Hanover, Pa., in 1809. Being deeply interested in 
education, he revived the schools which for some time 
had been abandoned through neglect for want of 
teachers and support. 

New Hanover was separated from the original 
charge. 

Rev. Henry Anastasius Geissenhainer — 
1813-1821 
became pastor in 1813, adding Pottstown and Limer- 
ick, which now constituted the charge. 

Instead of voluntary contributions for financial sup- 
port the members were now apportioned according to 
their estates and income. 

The by-laws were augmented by the addition of the 
odious provision for the annual election of the pastor. 
This rule was repealed in 1863, but afterwards again 
illegally applied until finally discarded in 1874. 



268 JUBILEE VOLUME 

Rev. Frederick William Geissenhainer, Sr v D.D., 

1821-1823, 
a brother of the former, was called in 1821. English 
services which had been discontinued after Muhlen- 
berg's time, were resumed. He resigned and left in 
1823. 

Rev. Frederick William Geissenhainer, Jr., D.D., 

1823-1827, 
succeeded his father. Pottstown was dropped and in- 
stead he also served at Zion's and St. Peter's in Pike- 
land. Being called as assistant to his father in New 
York, he left in 1827. 

Rev. Jacob Wampole, 1827-1834, 
assumed his duties as pastor in 1827. He lived in the 
parsonage near Zion's Church, Chester County. 
Through his energetic labors great progress was made. 
English and German services were alternated every 
two weeks. The charge was divided in 1834, Rev. 
Wampole resigning at Trappe, and retaining the two 
congregations in Chester County. 

Rev. John W. Richards, D.D., 1834-1836, 
auspiciously entered upon his pastoral duties in 1S34. 
He organized the English Lutheran Church at Potts- 
town. The congregation resolved that no protracted 
meetings should be held in the church by the Reform- 
ed, who still used it for worship. After repeated over- 
tures by them for the privilege were refused, they 
withdrew and erected their own church in 1835. In 
1836 a house and lot was purchased for a parsonage. 
Dr. Richards never moved into it, as shortly there- 
after he went to Germamtown. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 269 

Rev. Jacob Wampole, 1836-1838, 
came as pastor tlhe second time in 1836, taking up his 
residence in the parsonage just secured. Within a 
few months he died, January 3, 1838, and is buried 
near the Patriarch Muhlenberg. 

Rev. Henry S. Miller, 1838-1852, 
accepted a call of five congregations, Keely's and 
Towamencin having been added. An additional Eng- 
lish service was conducted. The one hundredth anni- 
versary of the building of the church was celebrated 
in connection with tlhe meeting of the First Confer- 
ence in 1843, Rev. Peixotto and Dr. Richards being 
the principal speakers. The old church becoming in- 
adequate, the congregation resolved in 1851 to build a 
new one. The work of construction began in 1852. 
Rev. Miller abruptly resigned and left in May, 1852. 

Rev. George Wenzel, D.D., 1852-1854, 
was elected and took charge in 1852. Before his ar- 
rival the cornerstone of the new church had already 
been laid on August 8th. The work progressed rap- 
idly and the church was consecrated on November 
5th and 6th. Rev. Peixotto, Dr. Richards and Dr. 
Baker preached the sermons. Dr. Wenzel resigned 
and removed to Philadelphia, August 5, 1854. 

Rev. Adam Schindler Link, 1854-1858, 
accepted tlhe pastorate September 12, 1854. He was 
an ardent adherent of the "New Measure" movement 
which had been fermenting for years, and gave it great 
prominence in the congregational life. Early in 1858 
be preached on "Social Prayer or Prayer-meetings," 



270 JUBILEE VOLUME 

and shortly afterward commenced the holding of the 
same in tihe homes of those who favorably received 
the innovation. This caused a disturbance which 
nearly resulted in the division of the congregation. A 
large number contemplated erecting a new church, and 
had already purchased ground, staked off the parson- 
age and dug a well. This had gone far beyond Rev. 
Link's anticipation and desire, and in order to curb 
the project he had started but could not control, he re- 
signed in 1858. This had the desired effect. The con- 
tract for building was cancelled, the fever abated and 
the congregation still lives. 

Rev. George Sill, 1859-1863, 
took charge March 27, 1859. The vestry granted him 
permission to procure a chandelier and lamps, so that 
evening services could be held, but with the special 
provision ''that no protracted meetings or anything 
else outside the regular order of worship should be in- 
troduced." Accordingly the first evening services were 
held October 16, 1859. Wednesday evening services 
were also conducted regularly. On September 3, 
1859, a resolution was passed authorizing the pastor to 
withdraw firom the Old Synod and connect himself 
with the East Pennsylvania Synod, if he saw fit to do 
so. He attended the meeting of that Synod at Har- 
risburg in the fall of the same year, presenting a state- 
ment of the case. The Synod deemed it inexpedient 
to take action in the matter, and so fortunately the 
resolution was not carried into effect. By resolution 
April 23, 1860, the pews were rented to meet current 
expenses. Rev. Sill's patriotic enthusiasm during the 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 271 

Civil War caused feeling to rise against him, and the 
old by-law for an annual election of pastor was en- 
forced without any other complaint. Rev. John Koh- 
ler was elected April 6, 1863, without his knowledge 
and consent. Rev. Sill was called to Whitemarsh and 
terminated his pastorate in 1863. 

Rev. John Kohler, D.D., 1863-1873, 
did not consent to the former irregular election. He 
preached to the congregation and requested another 
election, which was held, and he was unanimously 
chosen as pastor. Dr. Kohler endeavored to place the 
congregational worship upon a sound basis, and intro- 
duced part of the liturgical service. This attempt 
proved that an opposite tendency for many years 
could not be so easily corrected, and the consequent 
opposition caused him to resign in 1873. 

Rev. Oliver Peter Smith, D.D., 1874-1889, 
a student in the Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, 
was elected pastor March 29, 1874, assuming his du- 
ties after his ordination in June of the same year. 
English services were conducted every Sunday morn- 
ing after September, 1885, and one German service a 
month in the afternoon. The church was re-modeled 
in 1878 by the removal of the galleries and the placing 
of a second floor, providing a commodious basement. 
The liturgical service was used in its entirety and ad- 
vancement made in all lines of work. Dr. Smith re- 
moved to Pottstown May 1, 1889, thus closing the 
longest pastorate since the time of Muhlenberg. By 
unanimous vote on March 10, 1889, the congregation 



272 JUBILEE VOLUME 

resolved to support its own pastor and constitute a 
separate charge. 

Rev. Ernest Theodore Kretschmann, Ph.d., 
1889-1894 
while a student at the Seminary at Mt. Airy, was elect- 
ed as the first pastor April 4, 1889 and commenced his 
labors immediately after his ordination. He organ- 
ized the Pastor's Aid Society which has since been very 
active in the work of the congregation and the mis- 
sion work of the church. After the celebration of the 
one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the building 
of the church he published the history of "The Old 
Trappe Ohurch" which is excellent both as literature 
and history. Since this time annual 'services are held 
in the Old Church on the first Sunday of August. On 
account of ill health he resigned December 1, 1894. 
He died at Anderson, Ind., in 1896, where he had gone 
in the hope of recovery. 

Rev. Irwin Bishop Kurtz, D.D. 1895-1897. 
assumed the pastorate on .May 1, 1895. He organ- 
ized the Luther League in 1895. His pastorate was 
cut short by a call to Pottstown in 1897 where he still 
serves. 

Rev. William Oliver Fegely, 1898 — 
the present pastor began his work in February, 1898, 
In the spring wafers were first used at communion. 
In 1898 German services were discontinued. Regular 
evening services were conducted, and Lenten services 
introduced. A complete set of altar vestments was 
used for the first time. The robe was worn by the 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 273 

pastor, and the vested choir introduced in 1912. 
Pew rents were discontinued and the duplex envelopes 
aire used. Extensive improvements were made to 
the church, parsonage and surroundings making them 
modern in all their appointments. A new pipe organ, 
the tihird for the congregation, was installed in 1905. 
This was the longest continuous pastorate since the 
organizarion of the congregation which is still pure in 
faith, and vigorous in works. 

The wide influence that this congregation exerted 
can partly be estimated by mentioning a few men of 
prominence who have gone out from its sacred sanctu- 
ary, and it will add an inspiration in our day to lay 
more stress on the 'Spiritual in the advancement of the 
political and material. 

Gen. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg. 

Preacher, Member of the house of Burgesses, Major- 
general, Vice President of Pennsylvania, member of 
the first and third Congresses, United States Senator, 
Supervisor of Internal Revenue of Pennsylvania, and 
Collector of the Port of Philadelphia. He was one of 
the two distinguished soldiers of Pennsylvania whose 
'statues were placed in the Capitol at Washington. 

Hon. Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg 

Preacher, Member of Continental Congress, Member 
of State Assembly, President of Board of Censors of 
Pennsylvania, Justice of the Peace, Judge of Mont- 
gomery County, three times elected to the House of 
Representatives and Speaker of the first and third. 



274 jubilee volume 

Rev. Gotthilf Henry Ernest Muhlenberg, 
Preacher, Theologian, Distinguished botanist, and Au- 
thor of several standard books on botany and an Eng- 
lish and German Lexicon, and grammar. 

Francis Rahn Shunk. 
Held various positions in the State. Was -twice elected 
governor of Pennsylvania. Is buried in the old ceme- 
tery where the citizens of Pennsylvania erected a 
monument. 

Rev. Jacob Fry, D.D., LL.D., L.H.D., 
Preached his first sermon in the Old Church before 
he was eighteen years old. A distinguished and elo- 
quent preacher and lecturer. Held many offices of 
trust in the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. Professor 
in the Theological Seminary, Mt. Airy. Still vigorous 
in body and mind, in pulpit and class room after sixty- 
three years in the active ministry of the church. 




Rev. Aden B. Macintosh 



Rev. N. Y. Ritter 



CHRIST, TRUMBAUERSVILLE 



WHETHER religious services were held in ihis 
vicinity prior to the erection of the first 
church edifice we are unable to ascertain. We have 
no account of the erection of the first church. All we 
know is the following from the old church record : 
"A. D. 1769, den 4ten Mai, als am Tage der Himmel- 
fahrt unseres Erloesers, ist die Kirche in Lower Mil- 
ford durch die zwei Prediger, als Philip Heinrich 
Rapp auf Lutherischer seite, und Christoph Gobrecht 
auf Reformirter seite eingeweiht worden, und ihr der 
Name Christus beigeleght." From this we learn : first, 
that this was undoubtedly the first church erected by 
the congregations, since in a previous item Philip 
Heinrich Rapp calls himself the first pastor of the 
congregation ; .second, that the first church was also a 
union church ; third, that the name of the first church, 
as well as of the present, was Christ Church ; fourth, 
that the name of the township at that time was Lower 
Mil ford, instead of Mil ford, as now; fifth, that since 
the church was dedicated in the spring of the year, 
May 4, the erection of it was begun, if not completed, 
the year previous, 1768. This church, we are told, 
was a log building, and was the spiritual home of the 
congregation until 1805, or for a period of thirty-six 
years. 

In 1805, while the Rev. George Roeller was the pas- 
tor, the second church was erected. This was a stone 
building forty-five feet long and thirty-five feet wide, 
with galleries on three sides. The pulpit was in shape 

275 



276 JUBILEE VOLUME 

similar to a goblet or chalice, and was artistically 
carved, as well as the other part of the woodwork. 

The next item of importance is the following: 
"Whereas, we believe that sacred music has a tendency 
to tranquilize the thoughts, solemnize and elevate the 
human mind, and thus render it more favorable to the 
reception of religious impressions ; therefore, be it re- 
solved that we procure a pipe organ for our church" 
The committee appointed to procure the organ consist- 
ed of the following : Tobias Reiter, George Erdman, 
Nathan Levy and John Sorver. The organ was built 
by George S. Krauss, of Upper Hanover, Montgom- 
ery County, Pa. It was brought to Trumbauersville 
by Tobias Reiter, Enois Heist, Jesse Dubbs and Zeno 
Frantz. The amount paid for it was $650. The money 
was collected by Joseph Reiter. The organ was dedi- 
cated to the service of the Triune God on March 31 
and April 1, 1861, being Easter Sunday and Easter 
Monday. Jacob Bibighiouse was the first organist, 
and received a salary of $40 per annum for his ser- 
vices from both congregations. 

A joint meeting of the two congregations was held 
June 28, 1866, in reference to the erection of a new 
church, to take the place of the one erected in 1805, 
which, although it had served the congregations for a 
period of sixty-one years, was yet in a good state of 
preservation, but was too small for the large number 
of worshippers on Communion Sundays and other spe- 
cial occasions. 

On July 28, 1866, it was decided to build the church 
similar to St. John's, Richlandtown, with the excep- 
tion that there is to be only one front door; and the 




CHRIST, TRUMBAUERSVILLK 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 277 

steeple to be similar to the one at Zionsville. At a 
meeting on August 11, 1866. it was decided to build a 
basement church, by a vote of 33 to 13. It was also 
decided at this meeting to begin building operations 
as soon as $8,000 was subscribed. The original plan 
was afterwards changed and improved by a competent 
architect of Allentown. At a meeting held on July 27. 
1867, after the subscription books were examined and 
found that the required amount of $8,000 had been 
subscribed, it was decided to make ready during the 
fall of 1867. so that the building operations could be- 
gin early in the spring of the year 1868. 

On January 15. 1868, the contract was awarded to 
John Gerhart, of Telford, Pa., who agreed to erect the 
church according to the plan submitted for the sum of 
$10,000, the congregations to furnish all the stones 
and sand, tear down the old building, clear away all 
the rubbish, dig the foundation for the new building, 
and do all the hauling. The contractor was permitted 
to use such timber of the old building as could be used 
in the new. It was also stipulated that the building 
was to be completed not later than October, 1868 

The basement of the church and the bell were dedi- 
cated on December 25 and 26, 1868, first and second 
Christmas, and the auditorium on May 15, 16 and 17, 
1869. The cost of the building in money was $13,- 
118.92. This does not include a great deal of work 
and material which was donated by the members of 
the congregations. 

The organ was installed in the spring of 1861, gave 
way in 1905 to a new and a larger one built by C. F. 
Durner & Son, of Quakertown, Pa. The cost of this 



278 JUBILEE VOLUME 

organ was $2,000. The dedication took place on Sun- 
day, April 2, 1905. Rev. Prof. William J. Hinckey, 
of the Reformed Church, preached in the morning, 
and Rev. P. A. Laury, of the Lutheran Church, in the 
afternoon, and Rev. D. W. Ebert, president of Ursi- 
nus College, and Rev. Warren Nickel, of Applebachs- 
ville, in the evening. During the same year the beau- 
tiful high steeple which could be seen for miles 
around, was taken down, and a belfry of only me- 
dium height took its place. 

The 125th anniversary of the organization of the 
congregations, and the 25th of the erection of the 
present building, were appropriately celebrated on 
September 17, 1893. The services in the morning were 
in charge of the Reformed congregation, Rev. E. V. 
Gerhart, D.D., of the Theological Seminary at Lan- 
caster, preaching the sermon on the text, Mark 4:31. 
Rev. B. F. Luckenbill, pastor of the Reformed con- 
gregation, read a history of the Reformed congrega- 
tion. The services in the afternoon were in dharge 
of the Lutheran congregation. Rev. F. W. Weiskot- 
ten, of Philadelphia, preached the sermon on the text, 
Psalm 87:1, 2, 3. The Lutheran pastor, Rev. D. H. 
Reiter, read a history of the congregation. The ser- 
vices in the evening were under the auspices of the 
Sunday-school, addresses were made by Rev. O. F. 
Waage, of Pennsburg, Pa., a former pastor of the 
Lutheran congregation, and Rev. E. V. Gerhart, D.D., 
the 'speaker of the morning. A history of the Sunday- 
school, was read by the superintendent of the school, 
H. F. Reiter. 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 279 

On Sunday, May 10, 1908, the twenty-fifth anniver- 
sary of the pastorate of Rev. D. H. Reiter, was duly 
observed. At the morning service a reunion of those 
confirmed during the twenty-five years was an inter- 
esting feature. Nearly all those who lived within 
traveling distance were present and filled nearly all 
the seats of the main auditorium of the church, while 
the remaining seats and the galleries were thronged 
with the members and the friends of the congrega- 
tion. The pastor preached the sermon, taking for his 
text 1 Corinthians 11 :22, "For I have received of the 
Lord that which I also delivered unto you." At the 
afternoon services the church was packed to the doors. 
The first 'speaker was Rev. P. A. Laury, of Perkasie, 
who spoke on ''Pastoral Work." The second speaker 
was Rev. J. H. Waidelich, who spoke on "The Evan- 
gelical Pastor." The last speaker was Rev. J. L. 
Becker, of Lansdale. At the evening or vesper ser- 
vices the Rev. O. F. Waage, a former pastor of the 
congregation, preached the anniversary sermon in the 
German language. He chose for his text 1 Samuel 
7:12, "Hitherto has the Lord helped us." During the 
course of his sermon he called attention to the fact 
that Christ's Church has established a record for itself 
for retaining its pastors for a long period of time, and 
upholding them with a fidelity unsurpassed. For the 
last eighty-eight years, from 1828 to 1916, the congre- 
gation was served by three pastors, Rev. Frederick 
Waage, Rev. O. F. Waage and Rev. D. H. Reiter. 

From the organization of the congregation in 1768 
to the present, a period of one hundred and forty- 
eight years the congregation has been served by ten 



280 JUBILEE VOLUME 

pastors. This makes the average pastorate almost fif- 
teen years. The names of the pastors and the periods 
during which .they served are as follows : Rev. Philip 
Heinrich Rapp, 1767-1771 ; Rev. Frederick Neimeyer, 
from 1771-1792; Rev. Christian Espicht, from 1792- 
1793 ; Rev. Frederick Wilhelm Geissenhainer, from 
1793-1797; Rev. George Roeller, from 1798-1822; 
Rev. Frederick Waage, from 1822-1826; Rev. William 
B. Kemmerer, from 1826-1827; Rev. Frederick 
Waage, from 1829-1868; Rev. O. F. Waage, from 
1868-1883 ; Rev. D. H. Reiter, took charge of the con- 
gregation on April 15, 1883. 

In the year 1848 the congregation, after being a 
member of the Evangelical Lutheran Ministeriuim of 
Pennsylvania and Adjacent States for a period of 
eighty years, severed its connection with that body, 
and -stood independent of all synodioal relation until 
August 26, 1888, when by a unanimous vote it was 
decided again to unite with the Evangelical Lutheran 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States. 
The application wais duly made to the First District 
Conference at its fall meeting held in St. John's 
Church, Richlandtown, Pa., and on December 4, 1888, 
by a unanimous vote this congregation was again re- 
ceived as a member of the Synod from which it separ- 
ated in 1848. 



ST. PETER'S, WEST PIKELAND 



IN order that the origin of St. Peter's Evangel- 
ical Lutheran Church of West Pik eland, Chester 
County. Pa., may be fully understood, it will require a 
little history of what led up to its formation. 

The first St. Peter's (for there are two on the same 
hill within a stone's throw of each other, one a Gen- 
eral Council and the other a General Synod church) 
was organized in 1770 by members of Old Zion's, East 
Pikeland, who lived on the south side of the French 
Creek, Michael Koenig deeding a plot of ground on 
the top of Pikeland Hills. Tt was in the house of said 
Michael Koenig that the Rev. Henry Melchior Muh- 
lenberg, the pioneer of the Lutheran Church in Amer- 
ica preached before any church had been built in this 
part of the country. 

The first church was erected in 1772 and was con- 
secrated a Lutheran Church. Rev. Ludwig Voigt, 
pastor of Zion's was also the pastor of St. Peter's. At 
the consecration Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and the 
Swedish pastor of Wicaco, Rev. A. Goeranson, offi- 
ciated. 

For forty years the congregation worshipped in this 
log church. In 1811 it was decided to build a new 
church, and at the same time an agreement was form- 
ed with the German Reformed people, by which they 
became joint owners of the new church. 

In 1835 this building was destroyed by fire. It is 
supposed to have been set on fire by an enemy. 

281 



282 JUBILEE VOLUME 

The third building was erected and consecrated 
April 12, 1835. In this building the congregation of 
St. Peter's worshipped and formed a charge with 
Zion's, East Pikeland, until 1840, during the pastorate 
of the Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff, who introduced the 
New Measures, which caused a split in the congrega- 
tion, out of which the St. Peter's of this sketch came. 

The older members withdrew and organized as St. 
Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church and built a house 
of worship for themselves at the other end of the 
cemetery. The church building was consecrated May 
18, 1843. Rev. C. F. Welden, pastor of Zion's, was 
thq first pastor of this church. The following declara- 
tion signed by the pastor and Church Council was read 
and deposited in the cornerstone : 

" Whereas, We were formerly members of the con- 
gregation now holding possession of the United Luth- 
eran and German Reformed Church in this place, we 
deem it necessary herewith, and we do from our hearts 
moist solemnly declare, that in erecting the new house 
of worship on this ground we are actuated by no un- 
holy motive of enmity, of malice, or of opposition to 
the neighboring church ; but having been deprived of 
our rights and privileges of membership by the pastor 
and vestry thereof, because we adhered conscientiously 
to the doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 
as we had been taught by our fathers and former pas- 
tors, and neither could nor would sanction the 
changes, and practice the strange forms and measures 
introduced of late years, we, therefore consider our- 
selves to be truly the German Lutheran congregation 
of St. Peter's Church, according to the spirit and in- 



NORRISTOWX CONFERENCE 283 

tent of our forefathers, and as such entitled to the 
privilege of a congregation and a house of worship — 
and as all offers for an amicable adjustment of differ- 
ences made by us have been refused by the pastor and 
vestry now holding possession of the church, and be- 
ing desirous of avoiding litigation and strife, we have 
resolved under the Providence of God to build for us 
and our descendants a church in which we may wor- 
ship God according to the form of doctrine handed 
down by our fathers — to the intent that as we realize 
the saving and consoling influences of these forms and 
doctrines, so are we desirous to maintain and perpetu- 
ate them, that our descendants after lis and to all 
times to come may find hope and consolation, joy and 
peace even as we have found in the Gospel of the 
grace of God. Also, in making choice of this location 
we are influenced by considerations and feelings which 
we avow without fear or shame; in yon adjoining 
graveyard are deposited the ashes of our fathers and 
many friends and dear kindred whose memory is yet 
fondly cherished in our hearts — and having once fin- 
ished our earthly pilgrimage we wish to mingle our 
ashes in earth as near as we may be with theirs, that it 
may add to our joyful surprise in the glorious day of 
the resurrection to realize and rejoice with them that 
'death is swallowed up in victory.' 

Having thus truly stated our principles and motives, 
we herewith solemnly enjoin and make it incumbent 
on you, our successors forever hereafter, to maintain 
the doctrines and usages of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church as set forth in the Augsburg Confession of 
faith to preserve pure doctrine and undefiled religion 



284 JUBILEE VOLUME 

against all influences and changes of the times and 
mannersi of the world, and so long as the Evangelical 
Lutheran Synod of Pennsylvania shall continue in its 
adherence to the Augsburg Confession, that you with 
your pastors be and ever remain in connection there- 
with. 

"Given under our hand this eighteenth day of May, 
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred 
and forty-three." 

There are now two St. Peter's Evangelical Luth- 
eran Churches on Pikeland Hills, but are more com- 
monly known and spoken of as Upper Pikeland and 
Middle Pikeland Lutheran Church. It i ! s the Upper 
Pikeland Church we speak of in this sketch. St. 
Peter's (Upper Pikeland), together with Zion's, East 
Pikeland, remained a charge until 1872, when, during 
the pastorate of the Rev. Henry S. Miller, it was de- 
cided Zion's and Spring City should form a charge, 
and St. Peter's (Upper Pikeland) and Phoenixville 
form another. The Rev. Henry S. Miller continued 
to serve the latter charge. The following have been 
the pastors of the Zion's and St. Peter's (Upper Pike- 
land) charge: 

Rev. C. F. Welden, 1842-50. 

Rev. J. C. Miller, 1850-54. 

Rev. William Weaver, 1855-64. 

Rev. Henry S. Miller, 1864-72. 

The St. Peter's (Upper Pikeland) and St. John's, 
Phoenixville, charge was of short duration. Rev. 
Henry S. Miller served these two congregations from 
1872-1875. In January, 1875, at a congregational meet- 




ST. PETER'S, W. PIKKLAND 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 285 

ing held in the church, it was unanimously resolved and 
adopted that St. Peter's (Upper Pikeland) become a 
self-sustaining charge and a pastor be called to serve 
St. Peter's alone. The Rev. B. C. Snyder, student at 
the Philadelphia Seminary, was called and assumed 
charge in June, 1875. He served until October 1, 
1881. During the vacancy the church building was 
re-modeled and enlarged. In 1883 the Rev. J. P. Deck 
was unanimously called to the pastorate and assumed 
the duties of the same June 1st. During his pastorate 
the debt on the church was greatly reduced and a par- 
sonage was built at Kimberton on a plot of ground 
donated to the church by Miss Mary Ann King. Rev. 
Deck was pastor for only one year and five months, 
but he accomplished very much in this short time. He 
left St. Peter's to become pastor of St. Michael's 
Church, Germantown, Pa. 

January 10, 1885, the Rev. U. J. Klingensmith was 
called. The call was accepted and he took charge in 
June after his graduation from the Seminary and or- 
dination. His pastorate extended over seven years. 
During this time he had to contend with great financial 
difficulties. He resigned and left St. Peter's July 6, 
1892, to become pastor of a mission in Syracuse, 
N. Y. 

April 9, 1893, Rev. Charles Mader, a student at 
Philadelphia Seminary, was unanimously elected pas- 
tor and took charge immediately after his ordination 
June 15, 1893. Rev. Mader was pastor less than a 
year, for in the month of May, 1894, we find he re- 
signed. 



286 JUBILEE VOLUME 

March 24, 1895, E. H. Trafford, a student at the 
Seminary, was unanimously elected to become pastor 
after his ordination. Rev. Trafford took charge June 
15, 1895. Hi's pastorate extended over eight years. 
During ihis pastorate the debt of $1,800 was removed, 
the church building beautified on its interior, the ceme- 
tery and church surroundings made attractive, the 
parsonage repaired and conveniences placed in the 
same, and $1,800 put on interest as an endowment 
fund. Rev. Trafford resigned April 12, 1903, to take 
effect September 15th, having accepted a call of the 
Foreign Mission Board to go to India as a missionary. 

In July, 1904, Rev. W. E. Wenner, being called, 
took charge. During this pastorate one of the largest 
classes in the history of the church was confirmed, and 
a Missionary Society was organized. Rev. Wenner 
resigned June 12, 1908, to take effect July 1st. 

August 15, 1908, the Rev. Bernard Repass, having 
been duly called, assumed charge. He was pastor for 
over five years, resigning May 28, 1913, to go to St. 
Barnabas Church, Charleston, S. C. 

The congregation was without a regular pastor for 
over two years. 

Rev. E. H. Trafford, pastor of St. Barnabas Luth- 
eran Church, [Brooklyn, N. Y., was again called, and 
took charge May 1, 1915. 




Rev. C. C. Snyder 



Rev. N. B. Yerger 



ZION'S, ZION HILL 



Z ION'S Church is located along the Bethlehem 
road in the town of Zion Hill, Springfield 
Township, Bucks County, Pa. The lot upon which 
the church is built was given to the church by Mr. 
Frederick Wolfe and his wife. Hannah Wolfe, in the 
year 1840. The church has been a union church from 
its very beginning, and was incorporated as such on 
the ninth of December, 1891.. 

The first church building was erected in the year 
1840, and later, in 1872, it was repaired and reno- 
vated at a cost of $600. In 1890, after fifty years, the 
old church was razed and the present brick structure 
erected at a cost of $4,875. The cornerstone was laid 
on the twenty-second of June, 1890, and the new 
church was dedicated on Sunday, May 17. 1891. In 
the fall of the year 1902, at the expense of Mrs. 
Amanda Harwich, the church was frescoed in mem- 
ory of her deceased husband, Mr. Reuben A. Har- 
wich. The services for the re-opening of the church 
were held in December 14, 1902. A new two-manual 
pipe organ was installed in the year 1908, at a cost of 
$1,750. Of this amount $750 was donated by Andrew 
Carnegie. 

Zion's Evangelical Lutheran congregation was or- 
ganized in 1840, and Rev. William B. Kemmerer 
served as the first pastor until 1860. This is the long- 
est pastorate in the history of the congregation. A 
division was created over the choice of a successor to 
Rev. Kemmerer. As a compromise, Rev. A. R. Home 

287 



288 JUBILEE VOLUME 

was secured to supply the congregation until Rev. 
Leonard Groh was chosen as the next regular pastor. 
He served until 1864, when Rev. R. B. Kistler took 
charge and served the congregation faithfully until 
1870. Rev. Hilpot was his successor and served until 
1881. In tihe same year, 1881, Rev. D. H. Reiter be- 
came the pastor. During his pastorate of eight years 
the congregation was again placed on a good founda- 
tion and began to take on new life. Through his ef- 
forts the congregation became "more purely Lutheran 
and consequently more churchly, more active and 
more liberal." At the close of the pastorate, interest 
and activity within the congregation had developed to 
such an extent that subscriptions were taken for the 
erection of a new church. Rev. Reiter relinquished 
the work in this congregation in 1889, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. E. A. Yehl, who began his labors in 
1890. During his first year as pastor the corner-stone 
of the new church was laid and the following year the 
-churcth was dedicated. He served the congregation 
effectively until 1893. Rev. Renninger next supplied 
the congregation until Rev. I. B. Ritter became the 
regular pastor. He served until 1899 and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Warren Nickel. During this pastorate 
the church was frescoed, and the new pipe organ in- 
stalled. He relinquished the work in August, 1908, 
after serving the congregation faithfully for nine 
years. On January 1, 1909, his successor, Rev. N. Y. 
Ritter took charge. Through .his efforts tihe Young 
People's Society was organized, which has been doing 
effective work in enlisting the aid of the young people 
in the work of the church. He brought his pastorate 




ZIOX'S, ZIOX HILL 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 289 

to a close in December, 1914. Rev. Rufus E. Kern, 
the present pastor, began his work in the congregation 
on March 1, 1916, and on April 22 a Women's Mis- 
sionary Society was organized. 

Mr. John M. Zuck, the oldest living member of the 
congregation, was actively engaged in the work of the 
congregation through almost its entire history. He 
served as deacon, elder, trustee, and was for twenty- 
seven years the treasurer of the congregation. The 
writer is indebted to him for most of the data of this 
historical sketch. 

The immediate successors to Rev. Reiter in this con- 
gregation were members of the Allentown Confer- 
ence. Beginning with Rev. Warren Nickel, the con- 
gregation has been regularly served by the pastor of 
Keller's parish, although it has never been actually 
constituted a part of the parish. 



WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 



A HI STORY of the Norristown Conference that 
gave no recognition to the earnest and zealous 
labors of its women, would be woefully incomplete. 
Every congregation, within the bounds of the Confer- 
ence, with a few exceptions, owes a large propor- 
tion of its success to the untiring energy of its de- 
voted and self-sacrificing women, banded together lor 
the definite purpose of supporting their Church in a 
spiritual as well as a material sense. For many years, 
these organizations engaged chiefly in matters pertain- 
ing to their local congregations, until a desire became 
prevalent among some societies to identify themselves 
with the work of the Church at large. Hence the soci- 
eties of St. John's, Center Square ; St. Peter's, North 
Wales, and Transfiguration, Pottstown, affiliated 
themselves with the Woman's Missionary Society of 
the First District Conference, which was organized in 
1890. After the re-arrangement of the Conferences, 
the women of the Norristown Conference — through 
the encouragement of the pastors — inaugurated pro- 
ceedings to unite all the societies of the Conference 
into one general society, in order to work systematic- 
ally for the furtherance of the great Mission cause. A 
preliminary meeting was held in the Church of the 
Transfiguration, of Pottstown, May 14, 1895. At this 
initial meeting, an election for temporary officers re- 
sulted in the choice of Mrs. O. P. Smith, of Pottstown, 
as president, and of Miss Sara G. Cressman, of Sel- 
lersville, as secretary. 

The constitution, adopted at this meeting, declared 
290 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 291 

that the name of this Association shall be "The Wo- 
man's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the 
Norristown Conference of the Ministerium of Penn- 
sylvania and Adjacent States." Article II states that 
"this society shall be composed of three women dele- 
gates from the individual congregations." While the 
object of this Society, as set forth in the third Ar- 
ticle, "shall be to develop within the congregations rep- 
resented a greater interest in the Mission work of the 
Church," by the organization of Missionary societies 
in every congregation, by the circulation of Missionary 
literature and by the holding of conventions. The last 
Thursday in October was designated as the date for 
holding the annual Convention. 

The President appointed a committee to assist in the 
organization of the Synodical Society, eight days later, 
in Trinity Church, Reading, Pa. The personnel of 
this committee was Mrs. R. B. Lynch, Mrs. O. P. 
Smith, Mrs. J. H. Waidelich, Mrs. Gilbert and Mrs. 
E. K. Kneule. 

The first committees, appointed for Conference 
work, were an Executive Committee, a Literature 
Committee and a Mission Box Committee, who gave 
reports at the first regular Convention, held on Refor- 
mation Day of the same year, in Trinity Church, 
Quakertown. At this meeting the following officers 
were regularly elected : President, Mrs. O. P. Smith ; 
first vice-president, Mrs. C. R. Fetter ; second vice- 
president, Mrs. I. B. Kurtz ; recording secretary, Miss 
Sara G. Cressman ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. R. 
Winters, and Treasurer, Mrs. Fred. Fisher. The un- 
timely death of Mrs. Fisher, during the first year, 



292 JUBILEE VOLUME v 

caused a re-adjustment, when Mrs. J. O. Knipe was 
elected Treasurer. She faithfully served in this capac- 
ity for a period of 15 years, when, at her own re- 
quest, she was relieved of the office. She was suc- 
ceeded by the present Treasurer, Mrs. O. P. Smith. 

The Society was again saddened by the sudden 
death of Mrs. C. W. Jefleris, the second President, on 
August 8, 1898, three weeks after she had met her 
Executive Committee to make final arrangements for 
the third convention. The first vice-president, Mrs. 
R. B. Lynch — who also has been claimed by death — 
presided at this convention, at which 21 societies re- 
sponded to the roll call. At this meeting, plans were 
formulated to publish literature to be used at the 
monthly meetings of the local societies. 

The committee who published these early tracts, 
study cards, and supplements, with no money at its 
disposal, deserves especial commendation. In addi- 
tion to the time devoted to the preparation and com- 
pilation of this valuable literature, these faithful wo- 
men personally defrayed the necessary publishing ex- 
penses, minimizing the cost by binding the pamphlets 
themselves. The first publication was "A Cycle of 
Prayer," containing special prayers for every day of 
the year, to be offered for specified Missions and Mis- 
sionaries in all parts of the world. The second issue, 
"A Guide to Lutheran Missions," comprises valuable 
statistics pertaining to all phases of Lutheran Mission 
work, regardless of Synodical connection. 

For several years thereafter "Monthly Topics," 
with explanatory supplements, were published and 
circulated. The excellence of these Topics attracted 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 293 

attention beyond our borders, and other Conference 
Societies procured them for use in their organizations. 
Several tracts also were written by some of the ladies 
for distribution among the local societies. After the 
Synodical Society assumed the publication of all Mis- 
sionary literature, our Conference Society discon- 
tinued all work of this character. 

A Traveling Missionary Library, consisting of ten 
sections of books, was maintained for several years. 
The Missionary information imparted to our women 
through these educative means awakened interest and 
enthusiasm and nurtured steady growth and progress. 
At. the end of the first decade, 26 societies were en- 
rolled, whose contributions, for the year, were more 
than $1,400. 

The Society again sustained great losses in the ranks 
of its leaders. Mrs. D. H. Reiter, the seventh Presi- 
dent, was called to her eternal reward, during her sec- 
ond term, in 1907. Mrs. Charles Custer, who served 
faithfully as chairman of the Foreign Mission Work, 
was removed from our midst in 1914. Also, Mrs. A. 
K. Shearer, who served for many years as vice-presi- 
dent, was called to life, in 1916. 

The action, taken at the convention, in Grace 
Church, Norristown, in 1913, established our Society 
on a more systematic basis, by placing it in direct 
touch with the general Church, through the adoption 
of a resolution that our Society should become a mem- 
ber of the recently organized General Council Society. 
It was further decided to change the name of our 
Society to the more comprehensive name, adopted by 
the General Council Society. Henceforth, the official 



294 JUBILEE VOLUME 

title of our Society shall be "The Women's Mission- 
ary Society" of the Norristown Conference of the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States. 

Our identification with the General Council Socie- 
ety has resulted in greater uniformity in all the de- 
partments of our work. The General Council Month- 
ly Topics for seniors and juniors, the "Mission 
Worker" and the prescribed Mission Study text books 
are becoming universally used, throughout the Con- 
ference. 

For many years, the children have received mis- 
sionary training in Junior Bands, who conduct their 
meetings in conformity with the senior societies. 
These Bands contribute systematically to Home and 
Foreign Missions. During recent years their support 
has been divided between the Slav work and Miss 
Amy Rohrer, known as the "Children's Nurse" in our 
hospital in India. At the close of 1916, we had 21 
Junior Bands, six of which were engaged in Mission 
Study. 

Realizing that Missionary instruction could not be- 
gin too early, Mrs. O. P. Smith in 1902 organized the 
Cradle Roll or "Babies' Branch" of the Missionary 
Society. This has had an enrollment of almost 2,200 
little children, under six years of age, regularly offer- 
ing the little prayer, "God bless the Missionaries all 
over the world. Amen." Besides interesting their 
parents in Missions, these infants have contributed 
over $2,700 to Flome and Foreign Missions. 

Our Society enjoys the unique distinction of being 
the only Conference Society in the General Council 
witjh a Cradle Roll Department. 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 295 

The great impetus given to Mission study, by the 
Federation of the women of the General Council, has 
incited our members to form Mission Study Classes. 
These have developed leaders in local activities, en- 
couraged attendance at Mission Summer Schools and 
stimulated interest in the greater movements of gen- 
eral Church work. At the convention of 1916, the 
chairman reported 16 Mission Study Classes with 343 
members. Seven of these classes belonged to one con- 
gregation. Another congregation has a class of 45 
women, who have been engaged in Mission study for 
several consecutive years. 

During the earlier years Home Mission boxes and 
boxes for our Mission station in India and Porto 
Rico were sent annually. Owing to excessive charges 
for transportation, cash contributions have become 
preferable. However, many of our societies are regu- 
larly sending valuable boxes of clothing and household 
supplies to the Orphans' Home at Germantown, to the 
Home of the Good Shepherd at Allentown, to the Set- 
tlement House in Philadelphia, and to other Inner 
Mission institutions. 

Large quantities of laces, made by the converts in 
our Mission Schools in India, have been disposed of 
throughout the Conference. The proceeds of these 
sales are used in the maintenance of the schools. Dur- 
ing recent years, the pupils in our schools in Porto 
Rico have sent laces, drawn work and beads, the sales 
of which have netted a goodly sum for the support of 
their schools. 

Several hundred dollars' worth of post cards and 
stationery have been sold by our committee, during the 



296 JUBILEE VOLUME 

past five years, in behalf of the Italian mission in 
Philadelphia. 

Our Society has manifested its interest in the medi- 
cal work in India by sending hospital supplies, and 
making its success an object of special prayer. 

Since the creation of the Life Membership and 
Membership in Memoriam department of the General 
Council, 24 of the former and 9 of the latter have 
been taken out by members of the local societies. The 
Conference Society has also taken a Life Membership 
for itself and honored Mrs. J. O. Knipe, who served 
so acceptably as treasurer, and also three ex-presi- 
dents, Mrs. O. P. Smith, Mrs. H. M. Lessig and Mrs. 
C. R. Fetter, with Life Memberships, in recognition, 
of their efficient service. In 1909, the Conference 
Society assumed the annual support of a Slav student 
for the ministry among the people of his own nation- 
ality. 

The Executive Board is composed of the officers 
and chairmen of the following committees : Home 
Mission, Foreign Mission, Medical and Hospital, 
Porto Rico, Church Extension, Mission Study, Litera- 
ture, Slav Work, Cradle Roll, Organizing, Memorial 
and Life Membership, India Lace, Italian, Japan, 
Inner Mission, and Nominating. 

The Executive Board, in connection with the newly 
created Advisory Board, holds three meetings per an- 
num, to transact routine business and discuss practical 
Missionary methods. 

The meritorious programs annually attract large 
gatherings of women to the convention. The tabu- 
lated report of the treasurer, embodying the reports 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 297 

of the local societies, which was for some years au- 
thorized to be printed and distributed at the conven- 
tions, has proved a valuable guide throughout the 
year. 

By the elimination of the reading of the reports of 
the local societies at the conventions, more time has 
been gained for the presentation of Missionary themes. 
In addition to addresses by Missionaries on furlough 
and representatives of the Boards of the Church, our 
conventions are enlivened by practical talks given by 
the women and girls, whose missionary development 
is fostered by our own organizations. 

At the close of 21 years of service, the Women's 
Missionary Society of the Norristown Conference 
consists of 34 local societies, with an aggregate mem- 
bership of more than 1,600 senior and about 600 jun- 
ior members. About 800 of these are subscribers for 
our official paper, the "Mission Worker." The total 
cash contributions, reported at the last convention, for 
the current year, were almost $3,400. The entire 
amount raised since the organization, as the available 
figures indicate, is $31,643.56. This does not include 
the value of boxes or the sales of laces or post cards. 
While the Society feels that these sums are such as are 
not to be despised, yet it glories mostly in the zeal for 
the spread of Christ's kingdom developed within its 
members, through the self-sacrifice and devotion, the 
love and prayers exercised in the gathering of these 
funds. Our Conference Society rejoices that it has 
been able to furnish, from its number, some willing 
and capable women, who had the grace of heart to re- 
spond to the call unto important and responsible posi- 



298 JUBILEE VOLUME 

tions on Committees and Boards, in both the Synodical 
and General Council Societies. We are devoutly 
thankful for the smile of Heaven upon our humble 
efforts, to inspire the women of the Norristown Con- 
ference, both young and old, to consecrate what they 
have and are to "The Christ and His Kingdom." 

Having arrived at our maturity, under these favor- 
able auspices, at the dawn of this Jubilee Year, we are 
striving by the grace of God to make 1917 the crown- 
ing year of our history, by developing greater effici- 
ency in all our departments ; by endeavoring to form 
new societies and Junior organizations, wherever prac- 
ticable ; by increasing our contributions to Home, In- 
ner and Foreign Missions ; by broadening our vision 
through systematic study ; and by committing the 
guidance of all of our activities to Him, ''Who hath 
led us hitherto." 

PRESIDENTS 

Mrs. O. P. Smith 1895 

Mrs. C. W. Jefferis 1896 

Mrs. R. B. Lynch 1898 

Mrs. G. W. Bradford 1899 

Mrs. H. M. Lessig 1901 

Mrs. N. F. Schmidt 1903 

Mrs. D. H. Reiter 1905 

Miss Laura R. Swope 1907 

Mrs. C. R. Fetter 1909 

Mrs. S. R. Kepner 1911 

Mrs. J. H. Waidelich 1913 

Mrs. Warren Nickel 1915 

CONVENTIONS 

Transfiguration Pottstown 1895 

Trinity Quakertown 1895 

St. Peter's North Wales . . . .1896 

Trinity Lansdale 1897 

Augustus Trappe 1898 

Trinity Norristown 1899 

St John's Richlandtown . . . 1900 



XORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 299 

St. Peter's Stowe 1901 

Emmanuel Pottstown 1902 

St. Michael's Sellersville 1903 

Grace Norristown 1904 

Lutheran Spring City 1905 

Trinity Lansdale 1906 

St. Paul's Red Hill 1907 

St. Paul's Telford 1908 

Grace Royersf ord 1909 

St. John's Quakertown 1910 

St. John's Phoenixville . . . .1911 

St. Michael's Sellersville 1912 

Grace Norristown 1913 

St. Peter's North Wales . . . .1914 

Transfiguration Pottstown 1915 

Trinity Quakertown .... 1916 

FINANCIAL GROWTH 

1895 ) 

1896 > $ 31 22 

1897 ' 

1898 268 14 

1899 299 25 

1900 353 52 

1901 578 04 

1902 786 59 

1903 1,363 51 

1904 1,166 10 

1905 1,079 33 

1906 1,500 32 

1907 1,568 82 

1908 1,559 07 

1909 1,658 53 

1910 2,446 51 

1911 2,037 07 

1912 2,628 16 

1913 2,997 93 

1914 2,832 58 

1915 3,081 19 

1916 3,407 68 



Total $31,643 56 



THE LUTHER LEAGUE 

"Of the Church, by the Church, for the Church." 

THE Luther League is a potent agency in the 
great "Training School for Leadership," the 
Church. It reflects the spiritual inclination of her 
young people and quickens their powers of efficiency 
in the discharge of their rightful duties in the estab- 
lishment of God's kingdom. 

That the pastors and leaders of the Norristown 
Conference recognized this truth is evident from the 
fact that at their organization meeting a resolution 
was passed whereby the creation of three subsidiary 
societies within their precincts, namely a Sunday 
School Association, Women's Missionary Society and 
a Luther League was authorized. 

In response to the call issued by a duly appointed 
Luther League Committee, Rev. Jacob Neff, chairman, 
a convention of delegates and all other interested per- 
sons was called to meet in Trinity Lutheran Church, 
Norristown, Rev. A. S. Fichthorn, D.D., pastor, on 
February 22, 1895, for the purpose of forming a Cen- 
tral Luther League. A temporary organization was 
effected with Dr. E. E. Johnson, Pottstown, as chair- 
man, and Mr. Geo. D. Peters, Spring City, as secre- 
tary. 

A committee was authorized to formulate a consti- 
tution as a Magna Charta for future guidance. The 
following articles, quoted directly from that document, 
express more adequately than any other statement the 
firm principles upon which the League was founded, 
and the ideals toward which it aspires : 

300 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 301 

Article II. — Doctrine : "We acknowledge, as the bond of 
our unity, the doctrines of the Word of God as set forth in 
the unaltered Augsburg Confession." 

Article III. — Objects: 1. "The objects of this League shall 
be to encourage the formation of young people's organizations 
in all the Lutheran congregations in this district." 

2. "To stimulate the various young people's organizations 
to greater activity in their respective churches ; to assist in 
keeping the young people confirmed in the church, true to 
their confirmation vows ; to secure the active assistance of 
the young people to their Pastors in maintaining and ad- 
vancing their local church work. 

5. "To protect and guard our young people against dan- 
gerous and vicious influences of various unchurchly and un- 
believing associations surrounding them." 

This organization was known by the name "Bucks, 
Montgomery and Chester Central Luther League" un- 
til 1911, when by a constitutional amendment the word 
"District" was substituted for "Central." From this 
nucleus it developed until in this jubilee year, when 
three and twenty years have elapsed since its concep- 
tion, it occupies a strategic position as the right arm 
of the church, with a membership of thirty-six organ- 
izations comprising 2,611 seniors and 116 juniors. The 
next highest membership on record was 2,673 in 1911. 
Among the ten districts of the State it has attained an 
honorable position, ranking first numerically in 1915 
and secon4 in 1916. The Pittsburgh District, which 
has constantly been a close rival, surpassed the B. M. 
C. by more than eight hundred, according to the last 
census. The secret of this superiority lies in the ex- 
tensive junior organization in the locals of western 
Pennsylvania. 

Junior societies have been closely allied with the 
Seniors and dependent upon them, yet sufficiently dis- 
tinct to render independent progress possible. By 



302 JUBILEE VOLUME 4 

their influence the interest of the children of the 
church is enlisted while specific attention is accorded 
those on the threshold of affiliation with the church. 
The present Junior membership of the district com- 
prises but two societies, namely, those at Red Hill, 
Rev. O. F. Waage, pastor, and at Richlandtown, Rev. 
D. H. Reiter, pastor. 

Primarily the Luther League is an educational in- 
stitution. Were it to accomplish nothing more than 
this object, the ideal in the minds of those by whom 
it was conceived would not be defeated. Moreover, 
its achievements have been of a wider scope than this, 
and due recognition thereof is in order. 

As everything in the life of a church centres in its 
Missionary activities, so also the Luther League never 
failed to grasp every opportunity for supporting the 
worthy causes of the church. In the individual leagues, 
with a definite purpose in view, willing workers, seek- 
ing to find, discovered what God desired them to do. 

Impelled by a natural consciousness of their re- 
sponsibility to foreign fields, contributions were made 
for the erection of a hospital in Rajahmundry and 
for the establishment of the church in Porto Rico as 
early as 1900, whereas in 1901 the Home Mission 
Board of the Pennsylvania Ministerium was remem- 
bered with an offering of twenty-five dollars. In re- 
sponse to appeals from actual laborers in specific 
fields who spoke before the conventions, voluntary of- 
ferings were made for numerous purposes, among 
them the cause of Inner Missions and the support of 
Deaconesses ; also the Church Extension movement. 

In keeping with the principles of education the Dis- 



N0RRIST0WN CONFERENCE 303 

trict duly recognized Muhlenberg College, located just 
beyond the boundary of Conference. In the history 
of the League not a few young men entered the sacred 
profession of the Christian ministry. For "Greater 
Muhlenberg," the "Alma Mater" of these exponents 
of the district, fifty dollars was contributed in 1904. 
In 1907 one hundred dollars w T as paid toward the erec- 
tion of "Luther League Hall" on the campus, while 
an additional one hundred and fifty dollars was 
pledged for that purpose in 1913. At the 1916 con- 
vention the treasurer's account revealed a surplus of 
more than two hundred dollars, of which one hun- 
dred and fifty dollars was placed in the Muhlenberg 
College scholarship fund established and maintained 
by the Norristown Conference. 

At one time a project was launched for the erection 
of a monument to Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, 
D.D., patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America, 
to which the sum of fifty dollars was offered. Insur- 
mountable obstacles deferred the execution of this 
plan, but the Jubilee Year bids fair to its successful 
achievement. 

Liberal encouragement was accorded the mainte- 
nance of a general secretaryship in the National 
League. Proper relation with both State and National 
organizations was preserved by the payment of an- 
nual dues or assessments on the per capita basis a 
method established in 1913. Representatives attended 
the conventions of these general organizations and 
submitted inspiring reports at the District meetings. 

Though every official report recorded in the an- 
nals of the League bespeaks progress probably the 



304 JUBILEE VOLUME , 

most glowing accounts were rendered by the extension 
committee whose duty it is to solve the problem of 
"Enlistment and Enlargement." As a result of visita- 
tion of Leagues and investigation of existent condi- 
tions new societies were proposed for admission each 
year, while silent influence was exerted where energy 
was latent. Among the many efficient leaders of this 
committee honorable mention could be made particu- 
larly of the recent chairmen, Professor A. C. Rutter, 
Perkasie ; Mr. Sydney R. Kepner, Pottstown, and Mr. 
Elmer Becker, Perkasie. 

Beyond doubt the most important factor in the life 
of the District has been the annual convention. Hith- 
erto twenty-two meetings have been held in eighteen 
different churches throughout the Conference, on or 
about the twenty-second of February, the anniversary 
of the initial convention. On that day, when the nerves 
and heart-strings of every loyal citizen of this nation 
tingle with patriotism aroused by memories of the 
"Father of this Country," it is singularly appropriate 
that a similar spirit be kindled in the bosoms of young 
Lutherans toward the "Father of the Reformation" 
who restored to the church the Gospel of Christ in all 
its purity. The walls of our churches have resounded 
alike with the national anthems and with the martial 
rally hymns of the Leaguers, when in many addresses 
the two heroes have been compared and contrasted. 

More than fourteen hundred delegates represented 
the local leagues in these annual sessions, while a good- 
ly proportion of lay members participated in the pro- 
grams. Practically every phase of Luther League ac- 
tivity has been touched in discourses upon subjects of 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 305 

practical and doctrinal nature. With the institution 
of an evening session in 1895 the custom of reserving 
a strong address for that service was inaugurated. In 
that year Rev. A. S. Fichthorn, D.D., presented "The 
Augsburg Confession," fixing a standard of superior 
quality. Since then scholarly sermons were delivered 
by eminent clergymen of the type of Rev. J. Fry, D.D., 
LL.D., Mt. Airy; Rev. J. A. W. Haas, D.D., LL.D., 
Muhlenberg College ; Rev. A. T. W. Steinhauser, D.D., 
Allentown; Rev. E. K. Bell, D.D., Baltimore; Rev. 
Theodore E. Schmauk, D.D., LL.D., president of the 
General Council, and other men of prominence. 

The "Luther League Review," the official organ of 
the Luther League of America, has had a wide circu- 
lation, while the "Topic Review" has served as the 
basis of weekly devotional meetings in many local soci- 
eties. 

These are but a few of the achievements which 
stand out in bold relief on the records of the Luther 
League. A perfect circle was completed on February 
22, 1916, when the twenty-second annual convention 
met in Trinity Lutheran Church, Norristown, Rev. 
Aden B. Macintosh, pastor, on the identical spot where 
originally a group of fifty representatives marked the 
centre of this great circumference. The intervening 
years represent growth in numbers, it is true, but su- 
premely transcendent is the subjective influence, 
wrought upon the lives of the youth, the flower of 
the Church. The Luther League, which stands for 
education, consecration, purity and truth, is a "Win- 
ning Society," worthy of a place in the Church's life 
and history. 



306 jubilee volume 

Officers 



PRESIDENTS 

Dr. E. E. Johnson, Pottstown 1895-1896 

Mahlon Keller, Perkasie 1897 

Frank L. Brown, Norristown 1898-1899 

Irvin G. Romich, Pottstown 1900-1902 

U. S. G. Finkbiner, Royersford 1903-1904 

H. Lehman Yost, Norristown 1905-1906 

Herman W. Weidner, Pottstown 1907-1910 

Albert C. Rutter, Perkasie 1911-1913 

Sydney R. Kepner, Pottstown 1914-1916 

Luther Waidelich, Sellersville 1917 

RECORDING SECRETARIES 

George D. Peters, Spring City 1895-1896 

J. Edgar Diemer, Spring City 1897-1899 

Sara G. Cressman, Sellersville 1900-1902 

Anna Davidheiser, Pottstown 1903-1908 

Olive Unfried, Perkasie 1907-1908 

Mrs. N. Y. Ritter, Quakertown 1909 

Dorothy L. Weiser, Pottstown 1910-1914 

Sarah R. Mayberry, Pottstown 1915 

TREASURERS 

A. B. Walp, Richland Centre 1895-1911 

E. B. George, Sellersille 1912-1914 

J. H. Wisler, Souderton 1915 

CONVENTIONS 

1895 Trinity, Norristown 

1896 Transfiguration, Pottstown 

1897 Trinity, Perkasie 

1898 Lutheran, Spring City 

1899 Grace, Norristown 

1900 St. John's, Phoenixville 

1901 Trinity, Quakertown 

1902 Emmanuel, Pottstown 

1903 St. Paul's, Doylestown 

1904 Grace, Royersford 

1905 - St. Michael's, Sellersville 

1906 Augustus, Trappe 

1907 St. Peter's, North Wales 

1908 Zion's, East Pikeland 

1909 Trinity, Quakertown i 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 307 

1910 Grace, Pottstown 

1911 Trinity, Norristown 

1912 Trinity, Perkasie 

1913 Transfiguration, Pottstown 

1914 Emmanuel's, Souderton 

1915 Trinity, Lansdale 

1916 Trinity, Norristown 

1917 St. John's, Richlandtown 



r I ^HUS with sacred reverence, and yet with quiet 
-*■ satisfaction we conclude the story which the 
foregoing pages have endeavored to cover ; at times 
almost tragic in character, yet filled with the 
theme of holy love and sympathetic activity. Many 
of the statements made are traditional, or private 
opinions of men, and although sacredly guarded, dis- 
crepancies doubtless occur ; nevertheless the many 
historical facts contained, the records of the strug- 
gles for congregational life and existence ; the many 
dependencies upon those able to guide and assist here 
recorded render the efforts warranted and expedi- 
ent, and will probably become more cherished and 
precious as time goes on. To portray the lives and 
characters of men and their influence upon the con- 
gregations and peoples whom they touched has been 
the chief endeavor ; so that their activities might mold 
and shape the combined history of the Church of 
Christ in this community. The history of such en- 
deavor, however, for more than two centuries cannot 
be accurately told without the inspiration of divine 
guidance, while the silent influences ramifying in all 
directions cannot be measured by scientific computa- 
tion. The many worshippers who have been brought 
under the divine influence of holy men ; the experi- 

29 



308 JUBILEE VOLUME 

ences of those who have been touched by the Holy 
Spirit of God; the silent thoughts of the countless 
many under the sway of the Gospel, and the power of 
prayer, or the thoughts awakened by the grim visita- 
tions of sickness and affliction, all demonstrate that 
there is a story to be told too intricate and complicated 
for the finite realm of thought. God alone can por- 
tray those diviner sentiments and feelings which go to 
make up the sum total of all that transpires within 
such a series of years and such an important part of 
His kingdom on earth. And doubtless any portion 
of that kingdom which strives to work out its destiny 
along such given lines shall be upheld by Omnipo- 
tence ; and the efforts to perpetuate the deeds and 
memories of the saints of past ages shall receive the 
divine unction from on high. With unselfish motives 
these facts here recorded are sent forth in the name 
of the Lord, trusting that the endeavor will not prove 
fruitless of divine favor and blessing. 






INDEX 

PAGE 

Artman Home 18 

Authors of Sketches 4 

Beneficial Society 235 

Brandy wine, Battle of 47 

Christ Church, Upper Merion 12 

Church, Destroyed by Fire 109, 181, 281 

Church Extension 302 

Commissioners sent to Europe for Aid 59 

Confessional Services, Importance of 263 

Deaconess, from Conference 83 

Defense of Doctrine 31, 252, 283 

Editorial Committee 3 

Falckner Brothers 52, 60, 256 

Falckner Swamp 13, 54 

Oldest Church 53 

Federation of Women 295 

Francke, Gotthilf Aug., D.D 59,257 

Frankf ord Land Company 53, 54 

Fry, Jacob, D.D., LL.D 274 

Geissenhainer, Fr. W., Sr., D.D 103, 180, 183 

Prepares Men for Ministry 67 

General Council 26, 293, 295 

Germantown, Battle of 35, 206, 265 

Orphans' Home 120, 295 

Good Shepherd Home 295 

Halle Reports 45, 62, 163 

Home Missions 

Italian 296 

Porto Rico 295, 302 

Hospital, Churches used for 35, 47, 206, 265 

Immigration, German 12, 52 

Inner Mission 18, 302 

Jubilee 37, 41 

Bi-Centennial 73 

Centennial 72, 190, 224, 272 

Luther's Birth 189, 224, 249 

Organization of Synod 250 

Sesqui-Centennial 92 

Kirche, Bush 92 

Stange 92 

Ladies' Aid Society, 40, 135, 140, 161, 182, 209, 212, 224, 227, 
229, 233, 236, 245, 272. 
Sewing Circle 243 

309 



310 JUBILEE VOLUME 

PAGE 

Language Question 104, 144, 163, 211, 261 

Liturgy, Savoy 263 

Liturgical Services 231, 243, 271 

Luther's Catechism, Publ. by B. Franklin 263 

Luther's Death, Commemoration of 224 

Luther League, 16, 44, 50, 100, 110, 121, 135, 152, 157, 182, 218, 
226, 229, 233, 238, 245. 

Hall 303 

History of 300 

Junior Society 243 

Organization 50 

Review 305 

Men's Organization 79, 107, 227 

Ministry, Entered by Sons of Conference, 73, 78, 83, 86, 95, 135, 

184, 202, 221, 225, 229 

Mission Band, Girls 152, 151 

Mission Topics 294 

Worker 297 

Missionaries Foreign, from Conf 119, 286 

Missionary Society 99, 157, 182, 195, 209, 213, 289, 290 

Dorcas 75, 100, 254 

General Council 294 

Junior 106, 294 

Traveling Library 293 

Women's, 16, 43, 95, 106, 110, 121, 157, 213, 245, 
290, 294, 297. 

Women's Guild 121, 190, 213 

Muhlenberg, Henry M., D.D. 11, 12, 228 

Arrival in America 14, 18, 44 

Buys Parsonage Property 56 

Call to America 11, 13, 257 

Death 266 

Early Activity 11, 57, 59, 64, 258, 259, 262 

Moves to Philadelphia 264 

Monument 303 

Resting Place 19, 266 

Visitations 44, 46, 86, 108, 129, 245, 281 

Fred. A. C 66, 273 

Gen. Peter 267, 273 

Henry Ernst, D.D 66, 274 

Muhlenberg College 303 

New Measures 48, 252, 268, 269, 282 

Norristown Conference .11 

Benevolence 17 

District , .15 

Growth 17 

Organization 16 

Scholarship Fund 17, 303 



NORRISTOWN CONFERENCE 311 



Parish House 120, 125 

Penn, Wm 12 

Pipe Organ, 42, 51, 85, 99, 105, 114, 120, 125, 129, 148, 170, 178, 
196, 203, 221, 276, 277, 287. 

Old 47, 49, 50, 72, 85, 128, 262 

Property Title, Peculiar 54 

Providence, New 256 

Quadri-Centennial 3, 218 

Rajahmundry Hospital 302 

Conference 15 

Records, Early Church 13 

Sandel's Diary 56, 60 

Schools, Early 64, 127, 193, 223, 259 

Schultze, J. Christian, Commissioner 59 

Ordains J. C. Stoever, Jr 62, 257 

Seminary Presidency 30, 138, 184 

Settlement House 295 

Shunk, Hon. Francis R 274 

Slav Work 294 

Slovaks 234 

Sprogel, J. Henry 54, 179 

Stoever, John Caspar 61, 256 

Sunday Schools, 16, 17, 41, 44, 73, 78, 82, 89, 106, 112, 115, 116, 
120, 132, 146, 148, 150, 156, 169, 202, 213, 217, 
221, 228, 235, 244, 245, 254, 278. 

Swedes 12, 13, 14, 60, 61, 62, 63, 226, 228, 232, 281 

Synod : 

First Constitution Adopted 71 

Lay Delegates Admitted 71 

Delegates, Send to 246 

Division into Conferences 15 

First Ordination 14, 53, 64 

Meets on Conf. Territory 26, 71 

Organization of 14, 64, 71, 246, 264 

Tabor Home 18 

Trappe, Augustus Church 13, 255 

Annual Services 272 

Old Church 18, 260, 265 

Tulpehocken Confusion 62 

United Congregations 13, 14, 15, 58, 59, 256 

Union Church Separated, 45, 123, 133, 145, 147, 171, 202, 207, 
212, 217, 227. 
Sunday School Separated, 73, 82, 106, 132, 146, 213, 217, 
221, 254. 



312 JUBILEE VOLUME 

PAGE 

Valley Forge 47 

Van Buskerk, Jacob: 

First Native Ordained in America .45, 65 

Vested Choir 232 

Voigt, J. Ludwig . . . 45, 46, 47, 65, 142, 265 

Burial Place 48 

Washington, Gen. George 35, 47, 206, 265 

Wayne, Gen. Anthony 265 

West Pikeland, St. Peter's 46, 281 

Women Vote 182, 224 

Yellow Church 122, 123 

Young People's Society 91, 95, 140, 288 

Boys 107, 152, 233, 244 

Ziegenhagen, Fr. D.D 13, 59, 257 



